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OF THE LATE 

REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, A. M. 

WITH 

EXTRACTS FROM SOME OF HIS MOST INTERESTING 

LETTERS. 

TO WHICH IS ADDED, 

A BRIEF MEMOIR OF MRS, PEARCE. 



COMPILED BY 

ANDREW FULLER, D. D. 




AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 

PHILADELPHIA: 

NO. 146 CHESNUT STREET. 

1829. 



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INTRODUCTION. 

IT was observed by this excellent man, during his 
last affliction, that he never till then gained any per- 
t sonal instruction from our Lord's telling Peter by what 
death he should glorify God. To die by a consump- 
tion, had used to be an object of dread to him : but, 
. " Oh my Lord, (said he,) if by this death I can most 
glorify thee, I prefer it to all others." The linger- 
ing death of the cross, by which our Saviour himself 
:. expired, afforded him an opportunity of uttering some 
of the most affecting sentences which are left on sacred 
record : and to the lingering death of this his honour-* 
ed servant, we are indebted for a considerable part of 
the materials which appear in these Memoirs. Had 
he been taken away suddenly, there had been no op- 
portunity for him to have expressed his sentiments 
and feelings in the manner he has now done in letters 
td his friends. While in health, his hands were full 
of labour, and consequently his letters were written 
mostly upon the spur of occasion ; and related princi- 
pally to business, or to things which would be less 
.nteresting to Christians in general. It is true, even 
n them it was his manner to drop a few sentiments, 
towards the close, of an experimental kind ; and many 



A 



M INTRODUCTION. 

V v 
nts^Pll b%interspersed in this brief account 

of him. But it was during his affliction, when, being 
laid aside nearly a year, and obliged to desist from all 
public concerns, that he gave scope to the feelings of 
his heart. Here, standing as on an eminence, he re- 
viewed his life, re-examined the ground of his hope, 
and anticipated the crown which awaited him, with a 
joy truly unspeakable and full of glory. 

Like Elijah, he has left the chariot of Israel, and 
ascended as in a chariot of fire ; but not without hav- 
ing first communicated of his eminently Christian 
spirit. Oh that a double portion of it may rest upon us ! 



MEMOIRS 

OF THE LATE 

REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, A. M. 

CHAPTER I. 

His Parentage, Conversion, Call to the Minis- 
try, and Settlement at Birmingham. 

Mr. Samuel Pearce was born at Ply- 
mouth, in England, on £0th July, 1766. His 
father, who survived him, was a respectable 
silversmith, and was many years a deacon of 
the Baptist church in that place. 

When a child, he lived with his grandfather, 
who was very fond of him, and endeavoured 
to impress his mind with the principles of re- 
ligion. At about eight or nine years of age, 
he came home to his father with a view of 
learning his business. As he advanced in 
life, his evil propensities, as he has said, be- 
gan to ripen ; and forming connections with 
several vicious school-fellows, he became more 
and more corrupted. So greatly was his 
heart, at this time, set in him to do evil, that 
had it not been for the restraining goodness of 
a 2 



MEMOIRS OF 



God, which somehow, he knew not how, pre- 
served him in most instances from carrying 
his wicked inclinations into practice, he sup- 
posed he should have been utterly ruined. 

At times he was under strong convictions, 
which rendered him miserable; but at other 
times they subsided; and then he would re- 
turn with eagerness to his sinful pursuits. 
When about fifteen years old he was sent by 
his father to inquire after the welfare of a per- 
son in the neighbourhood, in dying circum- 
stances, who, though before his departure he 
was in a happy state of mind, yet at that 
time was sinking into deep despair. While 
in the room of the dying man, he heard him 
cry out with inexpressible agony of spirit, " I 
am damned for ever!' 9 These awful words 
pierced his soul; and he felt a resolution at 
the time to serve the Lord : but the impression 
soon wore off, and he again returned to folly. 

When about sixteen years of age, it pleas- 
ed God effectually to turn him to himself. A 
sermon delivered by Mr. Birt, who was then 
co-pastor with Mr. Gibbs, of the Baptist 
church at Plymouth, was the first means of 
impressing his heart with a sense of his lost 
condition, and of directing him to the gospel 
remedy. The change in him appears to have 
been sudden, but effectual; and the recollec- 
tion of his former vicious propensities, though 
a source of bitterness, yet furnished a strong 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 7 

evidence of its being the work of God. " I 
believe," he says, "few conversions were 
more joyful. The change produced in my 
views, feelings, and conduct, was so evident 
to myself, that I could no more doubt of its 
being from God, than of my existence. I had 
the witness in myself, and was filled with 
peace and joy unspeakable." 

His feelings being naturally strong, and re- 
ceiving a new direction, he entered into re- 
ligion with all his heart; but not having known 
the devices of Satan, his soul was entangled 
by its own ardour, and he was thrown into 
great perplexity. Having read Doddridge's 
Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, he 
determined formally to dedicate himself to the 
Lord, in a manner recommended in the seven- 
teenth chapter of that work. The form of a 
covenant, as there drawn up, he also adopted 
as his own; and that he might bind himself in 
the most solemn and affecting manner, signed 
it with his blood. But afterwards failing in 
his engagements, he was plunged into dread- 
ful perplexity, and almost into despair. On 
a review of his covenant, he seems to have 
accused himself of a pharisaical reliance upon 
the strength of his, own resolutions; and there- 
fore taking the paper to the top of his father's 
house, he tore it into small pieces, and threw 
it from him to be scattered by the wind. He 
did not however consider his obligation to be 



O MEMOIRS OF 

the Lord's, as hereby destroyed; but feeling 
more suspicion of himself, he depended upon 
the blood of the cross. 

After this he was baptized, and became a 
member of the Baptist church at Plymouth, 
the ministers and members of which, in a few 
years, perceived in him talents for the minis- 
try. Being solicited by both his pastors, he 
exercised as a probationer; and receiving a 
unanimous call from the church, entered on 
the work of the ministry in November, 1786. 
Soon after this he went to the academy at 
Bristol, then under the superintendence of 
Dr. Caleb Evans. 

Mr. Birt, now pastor of the Baptist church 
in the square, Plymouth Dock, in a letter to 
the Compiler of these Memoirs, thus speaks of 
him: — "Though he was, so far as I know, 
the very first fruits of my ministry, on my 
coming hither, and though our friendship and 
affection for each other were great and con- 
stant, yet previous to his going to Bristol, I 
had but few opportunities of conversing with 
him, or of making particular observations on 
him. All who best knew him, however, will 
remember, and must tenderly speak of his 
loving deportment; and those who attended 
the conferences with him soon received the 
most impressive intimation of his future emi- 
nence as a minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. " 
"Very few," adds Mr. Birt, "have enter 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, . U 

ed upon, and gone through their religious pro- 
fession with more exalted piety, or warmer 
zeal, than Samuel Pearce; and as few have 
exceeded him in the possession and display of 
that charity which ; suffereth long, and is kind, 
that envieth not, that vaunteth not itself, and 
is not puffed up, that doth not behave itself 
unseemly, that seeketh not her own, is not 
easily provoked, thinketh no evil, that bear- 
eth all things, believeth all things, endureth 
all things.' But why should I say this to 
you ? You knew him yourself. " 

While at the academy he was much distin- 
guished by the amiableness of his spirit and 
behaviour. It is sometimes observable that 
where the talents of a young man are admired 
by his friends, and his early efforts flattered 
by crowded auditories, effects have been pro- 
duced which have proved fatal to his future 
respectability and usefulness. But this was 
not the case with Mr. Pearce. Amidst the 
tide of popularity, which even at that early 
period attended his ministerial exercises, his 
tutors have more tfyan once remarked that he 
never appeared to them to be in the least 
elated, or to have neglected his proper studies; 
but was uniformly the serious, industrious, 
docile, modest, and unassuming young man. 

Towards the latter end of 1789, he came to 
the church in Cannon- street, Birmingham, to 
which he was recommended by Mr. Hall, now 



10 MEMOIRS OF 

of Cambridge, at that time one of his tutors. 
After preaching to them awhile on proba- 
tion, he was chosen to be their pastor. His 
ordination was in August, 1790. In the year 
1791, he married Miss Sarah Hopkins, daugh- 
ter of Mr. Joshua Hopkins of Alcester: a 
connection which appears to have been all 
along a source of great enjoyment to him. 

The soul of Mr. Pearce was formed for 
friendship. It was natural therefore to sup- 
pose, that while engaging in the pursuit of his 
studies at the academy, he would contract re- 
ligious intimacies with some of his* brethren; 
and it is worthy of notice, that the grand ce- 
ment of his friendship was kindred piety. In 
the two following letters, addressed to his 
friend, Mr. Steadman, the reader will per- 
ceive the justness of this remark, as well as 
the encouraging prospects which soon attend- 
ed his labours at Birmingham: — 

" My very dear Brother, May 9, 1792. 

" You live so remote that I can hear no- 
thing of your prosperity at Broughton. I hope 
you are settled with a comfortable people, and 
that you enjoy much of your Master's presence, 
both in the study and the pulpit. For my part, 
I have nothing to lament but an insensible, 
ungrateful heart, and that is sufficient cause 
for lamentation. This, only this, bows me 
down; and under this pressure I am ready to 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 11 

adopt the words I preached from last even- 
ing: — Oh that I had wings like a dove, for 
then would I fly away and be at rest ! 

As a people, we are generally united. Our 
number of members is about two hundred 
and ninety-five, between forty and fifty of 
whom have joined us since I saw you, and 
most of them I have the happiness of consid- 
ering as my children in the faith. There is 
still a crying out amongst us after salvation; 
and still, through much grace, it is my hap- 
piness to point them to the Lamb of God, 
who taketh away the sins of the world. 

I hope still that I am willing to spend and 
be spent, so that I may win souls to Christ, 
and finish my course with joy; but I want 
more heart religion: I want a more habitual 
sense of the divine presence; I want to walk 
with God as Enoch walked. There is no- 
thing that grieves me so much, or brings so 
much darkness on my soul, as my little spi- 
rituality, and frequent wanderings in secret 
prayer. I cannot neglect the duty, but it is 
seldom that I enjoy it. 

4 Ye that love the Lord indeed, 
Tell me, is it so with you ?' 

When I come to the house of God, I pray and 
preach with freedom. Then I think the pre- 
sence of the people seems to weigh more with 
me than the presence of God, and deem my- 



12 MEMOIRS OF 

self a hypocrite, almost ready to leave my 
pulpit, for some more pious preacher. But 
the Lord does own the word; and again I say, 
if I go to hell myself, I will do what I can to 
keep others from going thither: and so in the 
strength of the Lord I will. 

An observation once made to me helps to 
support me above water: — "If you did not 
plough in your closet, you would not reap in 
the pulpit." And again I think the Lord 
dwelleth in Zion, and loveth it more than the 
dwellings of Jacob. S. P. 



55 



There are few, if any, thinking men, but 
who at some seasons have had their minds per- 
plexed with regard to religious principles, even 
those which are of the greatest importance. 
In the end, however, where the heart is right, 
they commonly issue in a more decided at 
tachment to the truth. Thus it was with Mr. 
Pearce. After complaining of some per- 
plexity on doctrinal points, he thus writes to 
his friend Steadman: — 

" I was violently seized with a disorder very 
prevalent here, and which carried off* many, 
supposed to be an inflammation in the bowels. 
One Sabbath evening I felt such alarming 
symptoms that I did not expect to see the 
Monday morning. In these circumstances I 
realized the feelings of a dying man. My 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 13 

mind had been so accustomed to reflect on 
virtue and moral goodness, that the first 
thing I attempted, was a survey of my own 
conduct; my diligence and faithfulness in the 
ministry, my unspotted life, &c. &c. But 
ah! vain props these for dying men to rest 
on! Such heart sins, such corruptions and 
evil propensities recurred to my mind, that if 
ever I knew the moment when I felt my own 
righteousness to be like loathsome and filthy 
rags, it was then. And where should I, 
where could I, where did I flee, but to Him 
whose glory and grace I had been of late de- 
grading, at least in my thoughts ? Yes, there 
I saw peace for guilty consciences was to be 
alone obtained through an almighty Saviour. 
And 0! wonderful to tell, I again came to 
him; nor was I sent away without the bless- 
ing. I found Mm full of all compassion, 
ready to receive the most ungrateful of men. 

' O ! to grace how great a debtor 
Daily I'm constrained to be.' 

Thus, my dear brother, was the snare broken, 
and thus I escaped. 

1 A debtor to mercy alone, 
Of covenant mercy I sing.' 

Join with me in praising Him, who remember- 
ed me in my low estate, because his mercy 
endureth for ever. Yet this is among the all 
things. I have found it has made me more 



14 MEMOIRS OF 

spiritual in preaching. I have prized the gos- 
pel more than ever, and hope it will be the 
means of guarding me against future tempta- 
tions. — Your brother, with ardent affection, 
in the dear Lord Jesus. S. P." 

From his first coming to Birmingham, his 
meekness and patience were put to the trial 
by a pernicious error, which infected many 
individuals, both in and out of his congrega- 
tion. It is well known with what affection it 
was his practice to beseech sinners to be re- 
conciled to God, and to exhort Christians to 
the exercise of practical godliness: but these 
were things which they could not endure. 
Soothing doctrine was all they desired. There- 
fore it was, that his ministry was traduced by 
them, and treated with neglect and contempt. 
But, like his divine Master, he bore the con- 
tradiction of sinners against himself, and this 
while he had the strongest satisfaction that in 
those very things to which they objected, he 
was pleasing God. And though he plainly 
perceived the pernicious influence of their 
principles upon their own minds, as well as 
the minds of others, yet he treated them with 
great gentleness and long forbearance. 

Among his numerous religious friendships, 
he seems to have formed one for the special 
purpose of spiritual improvement. This was 
with Mr. Summers of London, who often ac- 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 15 

companied him in his journeys; to whom, 
therefore, it might be expected he would open 
his heart without reserve. Here, it is true, 
we sometimes see him, like his brethren, 
groaning under darkness, want of spirituality, 
and the remains of indwelling sin; but fre- 
quently rising above all, as into his native ele- 
ment, and pouring forth his ardent soul in ex- 
pressions of joy and praise. On Aug. 19, 1793, 
he writes thus:— 

" My dear Brother, 

" When I take my pen to pursue my cor- 
respondence with you, I have no concern but 
to communicate something which may answer 
the same end we propose in our annual jour- 
neys: viz. lending some assistance in the im- 
portant object of getting, and keeping near to 
God. This I am persuaded is the mark at 
which we should be continually aiming, nor 
rest satisfied until we attain that to which we 
aspire. I am really ashamed of myself, when 
on the one hand, I review the time that has 
elapsed since I first assumed the Christian 
name, with the opportunities of improvement 
in godliness which have crowded on my mo- 
ments sisce that period; and when on the 
other, I feel the little advance I have made ! 
More light, to be sure, I have; but light with- 
out heat leaves the Christian half dissatisfied. 
Yesterday I preached on the duty of engaged- 



16 MEMOIRS OF 

ness in God's service, from Jer. xxx. 21, 
6 Who is this that engaged his heart to ap- 
proach unto me? saith the Lord.' (A text for 
which I am indebted to our last journey.) 
"While urging the necessity of heart religion, 
including sincerity and ardour, I found my- 
self much assisted by reflecting on the ardour 
which our dear Redeemer discovered in the 
cause of sinners. " Ah," I could not help 
saying, " if our Saviour had measured his in- 
tenseness in his engagements for us, by our 
fervency in fulfilling our engagements to him, 
we should have been now farther from hope 
than we are from perfection. " 

' Dear Lord, the ardour of thy love 
Reproves my cold returns.' 

" Two things are causes of daily astonish- 
ment to me — The readiness of Christ to come 
from heaven to earth for me; and my back- 
wardness to rise from earth to heaven with 
him. But oh, how animating the prospect! 
A time approaches when we shall rise to sink 
no more: to 6 be for ever with the Lord. ' To 
be ivith the Lord for a week, for a day, for 
an hour; how sweetly must the moments pass ! 
But to be for ever with the Lord,— that in- 
stamps salvation with perfection; that gives 
an energy to our hopes, and a dignity to our 
joy, so as to render it 'unspeakable and full 
of glory!' I have had a few realizing moments 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. IT 

since we parted, and the effect has been, I 
trust, a broken heart. O, my brother, it is 
desirable to have a broken heart, were it only 
for the sake of the pleasure it feels in being 
helped and healed by Jesus ! Heart-affecting 
views of the cursed effects of sin are highly 
salutary to a Christian's growth in humility, 
confidence, and gratitude. At once how 
abasing and exalting is the comparison of our 
loathsome hearts with that of the lovely Sa- 
viour ! In him, we see all that can charm an 
angel's heart; in ourselves, all that can gra- 
tify a devil's. And yet we may rest perfect- 
ly assured that these nests of iniquity shall 
ere long be transformed into the temples of 
God; and these sighs of sorrow be exchanged 
for songs of praise. 

" Last Lord's day I spent the most profita- 
ble Sabbath to myself that I ever remember 
since I have been in the ministry; and to this 
hour I feel the sweet solemnities of that day 
delightfully protracted. Ah, my brother, 
were it not for past experience, I should say, 

c My heart presumes I cannot lose 
The relish all my days.' 

But now I rejoice with trembling; desiring to 
' hold fast what I have, that no man take my 
crown.' Yet fearing that I shall find how 

— 4 Ere one fleeting hour is past, 

The flattVing world employs 

B 2 



18 MEMOIRS OF 

Some sensual bait to seize my taste. 
And to pollute my joys.' 

Yours, in our dear Saviour, S. P. " 

In April, 1794, dropping a few lines to the 
Compiler of these Memoirs, on Lord's day 
evening, he thus concludes: — "We have had 
a good day. I find, as a dear friend once 
said, It is pleasant speaking for God when 
we zvalk with him. Oh, for much of Enoch's 
spirit! The Head of the church grant it to 
my dear brother, and his affectionate friend, 

S. P." 

In another letter to Mr. Summers, dated 
June 24, 1794, he thus writes: — "Nor hath 
the word been without its effect; above fifty 
have been added to our church this year, most 
of whom I rejoice in, as the seals of my min- 
istry in the Lord. Indeed I am surrounded 
with goodness; and scarce a day passes over 
my head, but I say, were it not for an un- 
grateful heart I should be the happiest man 
alive; and that excepted, I neither expect nor 
wish to be happier in this world. My wife, 
my children, and myself are uninterruptedly 
healthy; my friends v kind; my soul at rest; 
nry labours successful. &e. Who should be 
content and thankful, if I should not? Oh, 
my brother, help me to praise! S. P." 



b 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, 19 

In a letter to Mrs. Pearce, from Plymouth, 
dated Sept. 2, 1794, the dark side of the cloud 
seems towards him: — " I have felt much bar- 
renness, says he, as to spiritual things, since 
I have been here, compared with my usual 
frame at ho me ; and it is a poor exchange to 
enjoy the creature at the expense of the Crea- 
tor's presence: a few seasons of spirituality I 
have enjoyed; but my heart, my inconstant 
heart, is too prone to rove from its proper 
centre. Pray for me, my dear, my dearest 
friend! I do for you daily. Oh wrestle for 
me, that I may have more of Enoch's spirit! 
I am fully persuaded that a Christian is no 
longer really happy, and inw r ardly satisfied, 
than whilst he walks with God; and I would 
this moment rejoice to abandon every pleasure 
here for a closer walk with him. I cannot, 
amidst all the round of social pleasure, amidst 
the most inviting scenes of nature, feel that 
peace with God which passeth understanding. 
My thirst for preaching Christ, I fear, abates, 
and a detestable vanity for the reputation of 
a " good preacher" (as the world terms it) has 
already cost me many conflicts. Daily I feel 
convinced of the propriety of a remark which 
my friend Summers made on his journey to 
A Vales, that 6 It is easier for a Christian to 
walk habitually near to God, than to be irre- 
gular in our walk with him.' But I want re- 
solution; I want a contempt for the world; I 



SO MEMOIRS OF 

want more heavenly-mindedness; I want more 
humility^ I want much, very much of that* 
which God alone can bestow. Lord, help the 
weakest lamb in ail thy flock ! 

" I preached this evening from Cant. ii. 3. : 
4 1 sat down under his shadow with great de- 
light, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. ? 
But how little love for my Saviour did I feel ! 
with what little affection and zeal did I speak ! 
I am, by some, praised 5 I am followed by 
many^ 1 am respected by most of my ac- 
quaintances; but all this is nothing; yea, less 
than nothing, compared with possessing 6 this 
testimony, that I please God. v Oh thou 
Friend of sinners, humble me by repentance, 
and melt me down with love ! 

" To-morrow morning I set off for Launces- 
ton. I write to night, lest my stay in Corn- 
wall might make my delay appear tedious to 
the dear and deserving object of my most un- 
dissembled love. Oh, my Sarah, had I as 
much proof that I loved Jesus Christ, as I 
have of my love to you, I should prize it more 
than rubies ! As often as you can find an hour 
for correspondence, think of your more than 
ever affectionate S. P." 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 21 



CHAPTER II. 

His laborious exertions in promoting Missions 
to the Heathen, and offering himself to be- 
come a Missionary. 

Mr. Pearce was uniformly the spiritual 
and the active servant of Christ; but neither 
his spirituality nor his activity would have 
appeared in the manner they have, but for his 
engagements in the introduction of the gospel 
among the heathen. 

It was not long after his settlement at Bir- 
mingham, that he became acquainted with 
Mr. Carey, in whom he found a soul nearly 
akin to his own. When the brethren in the 
counties of Northampton and Leicester form- 
ed themselves into a Missionary Society, at 
Kettering, in Oct. 1792, he was there, and 
entered into the business with all his heart. 
On his return to Birmingham, he communi- 
cated the subject to his congregation with so 
much effect, that to the small sum of 13Z. 2s. 
6rf., (S58.34) with which the subscription 
was begun, was added 70/., (8311. 11) which 
was collected and transmitted to the treasur- 
er; and the leading members of the church 
formed themselves into an Assistant Societ} r . 
Early in the following spring, when it was re- 
solved that our brethren, Thomas and Carey, 



22 MEMOIRS OF 

should go on a mission to the Hindoos, and a 
considerable sum of money was wanted for 
the purpose, he laboured with increasing ar- 
dour in various parts of the kingdom; and 
when the object was accomplished, he rejoic- 
ed in all his labour, smiling in every company, 
and blessing God. 

From the day of the departure of the Mis- 
sionaries, no one was more importunate in 
prayer than Mr. Pearce; and on the news of 
their safe arrival, no one was more filled with 
joy and thankfulness. 

Hitherto we had witnessed his zeal in pro- 
moting this important undertaking at home; 
but this did not satisfy him. In October, 
1794, we were given to understand that he 
had for some time had it in serious contem- 
plation to go himself, and to cast in his lot 
with his brethren in India. *When his designs 
were first discovered, his friends and con- 
nexions were much concerned about it, and 
endeavoured to persuade him that he was al- 
ready in a sphere of usefulness too important 
to be relinquished. But his answer was, that 
they were too interested in the affair to be 
competent judges, and nothing would satisfy 
him short of his making a formal offer of his 
services to the Committee: nor could he be 
happy for them to decide upon it, without 
their appointing a day of solemn prayer for 
the purpose, and, when assembled, hearing an 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 23 

account of the principal exercises of his mind 
upon the subject^ with the reasons which in- 
duced him to make the proposal, as well as the 
reasons alleged by his connexions against it. 

About a month preceding the decision of 
this affair, he drew up a narrative of his ex- 
perience respecting it; resolving at the same 
time to set apart one day in every week for 
secret fasting and prayer to God for direction; 
and to keep a diary of the exercises of his 
mind during the month. 

When the Committee were met at North- 
ampton according to his desire, he presented 
to them the narrative; and which was as fol- 
lows: — 

" October 8, 1794. Having had some pe- 
culiar exercises of mind relative to my per- 
sonally attempting to labour for the dear Re- 
deemer amongst the heathen; and being at a 
loss to know what is the will of the Lord in 
this matter respecting me, I have thought that 
I might gain some satisfaction by adopting 
these two resolutions; First, That I will, as 
in the presence of God, faithfully endeavour 
to recollect the various workings of my mind 
on this subject, from the first period of my 
feeling any desire of this nature until now, 
and commit them to writing; together with 
what considerations do now, on the one hand, 
impel me to the work, and on the other, what 



24 MEMOIRS OF 

prevent me from immediately resolving to 
enter upon it. Secondly, That I will from 
this day keep a regular journal, with special 
relation to this matter. 

" This account and journal will, I hope, 
furnish me with much assistance, in forming a 
future opinion of the path of duty; as well as 
help any friends whom I may hereafter think 
proper to consult, to give me suitable advice 
in the business. Lord, help me ! 

64 It is very common for young converts to 
feel strong desires for the conversion of others. 
These desires immediately followed the evi- 
dences of my own religion: and I remember 
well they were particularly fixed upon the 
poor heathens. I believe the first week that I 
knew the grace of God in truth, I put up 
many fervent cries to Heaven in their behalf; 
and at the same time felt a strong desire to be 
employed in promoting their salvation. It 
was not long after, that the first settlers sail- 
ed for Botany Bay. I longed to go with them, 
although in company with the convicts, in 
hopes of making known the blessings of the 
great salvation in New Zealand. I actually 
had thought of making an effort to go out un- 
known to my friends; but, ignorant how to 
proceed, I abandoned my purpose. Never- 
theless, I could not help talking about it; and 
at one time a report was circulated that I 
was really going; and a neighbouring minister 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 25 

' very seriously conversed with me upon the 
subject 

" While I was at the Bristol Academy ^ the 
desire remained; but not with that energy as 
at first, except on one or two occasions. Be- 
ing sent by my tutor to preach two Sabbaths 
at Coldford, I felt particular sweetness in de- 
voting the evenings of the week to going from 
house to house among the colliers, who dwell 
in the Forest of Deane, adjoining the town, 
conversing and praying with them, and preach- 
ing to them. In these exercises I found the 
most solid satisfaction that I have ever known 
in discharging the duties of my calling. In 
a poor hut, with a stone to stand upon, and a 
three-legged stool for my desk, surrounded 
with thirty or forty of the smutty neighbours, 
I have felt such an unction from above, that 
my whole auditory have been melted into 
tears, whilst directed to ' the Lamb of God 
which taketh away the sin of the world;' and 
I, weeping among them, could scarcely speak, 
or they hear, for interrupting sighs and sobs. 
Many a time did I then think, Thus it was 
with the apostles of our Lord, when they went 
from house to house among the poor heathen. 
In work like this, I could live and die. In- 
deed, had I at that time been at liberty to 
settle, I should have preferred that situation 
to any in the kingdom with which I was then 
acquainted. 



26 MEMOIRS OF 

"But the Lord placed me in a situation 
very, different. He brought me to Birming- 
ham; and here, among the novelties, cares, 
and duties of my station, I do not remember 
any wish for foreign service, till after a resi- 
dence of some months, I heard Dr. Coke 
preach at one of Mr. Wesley's chapels, from 
Psalm lxviii. 31. ; Ethiopia shall soon stretch 
out her hands unto God.' Then it was, that 
in Mr. Home's phrase, ' I felt a passion for 
missions.' Then I felt an interest in the state 
of the heathen world far more deep and per- 
manent than before, and seriously thought how 
I could best promote their obtaining the know- 
ledge of the crucified Jesus. 

" As no way at that time was open, I can- 
not say that I thought of taking a part of the 
good work among the heathen abroad; but re- 
solved that I would render them all the assist- 
ance I could at home. My mind was employ- 
ed during the residue of that week in medita- 
ting on Psalm lxvii. 3. < Glorious things are 
spoken of thee, city of God;' — -and the next 
Sabbath morning I spoke from those words, 
On the promised increase of the church of 
God. I had observed that our monthly meet- 
ings for prayer had been better attended than 
the other prayer-meetings, from the time that 
I first knew the people in Cannon- street: but 
I thought a more general attention to them was 
desirable. I therefore preached on the Sab- 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 27 

bath-day evening preceding the next monthly 
prayer-meeting, from Matt. vi. 10. < Thy 
kingdom come;' and urged with ardour and 
affection a universal union of the serious part 
of the congregation in this exercise. It re- 
joiced me to see three times as many the next 
night as usual; and for some time after that, I 
had nearly equal cause for joy. 

" As to my own part, I continued to preach 
much upon the promises of God respecting 
the conversion of the heathen nations; and by 
so doing, and always communicating to my 
people every piece of information I could ob- 
tain respecting the present state of missions, 
they soon imbibed the same spirit: and from 
that time to this they have discovered so much 
concern for the more extensive spread of the 
gospel, that at our monthly prayer-meetings, 
both stated and occasional, I should be as 
much surprised at the case of the heathen be- 
ing omitted in any prayer, as at an omission 
of the name and merits of Jesus. 

" Indeed it has been a frequent mean of en- 
kindling my languid devotion, in my private, 
domestic, and public engagements in prayer. 
When I have been barren in petitioning for 
myself, and other things, often have I been 
sweetly enlarged when I came to notice the 
situation of those who were perishing for lack 
of knowledge. 

" Thus I went on praying, and preaching, 



2b MEMOIRS OF 

and conversing on the subject, till the time 
of brother Carey's ordination at Leicester, 
May 24, 1791. On the evening of that day, 
he read to the ministers a great part of his 
manuscript, since published; entitled. An in- 
quiry into the obligations of christians to use 
means for the conversion of the heathens. This 
added fresh fuel to my zeal. But to pray 
and preach on the subject, was all I could then 
think of doing. But when I heard of a pro- 
posed meeting at Kettering, Oct. 2, 1792, 
for the express purpose of considering our 
duty in regard to the heathens, I could not 
resist my inclination for going; although at 
that time I was not much acquainted with the 
ministers of the Northamptonshire associa- 
tion. There I got my judgment informed, 
and my heart increasingly interested. I re- 
turned home resolved to lay myself out in 
the cause. The public steps I have taken 
are too well known to need repeating; but my 
mind became now inclined to go among the 
heathen myself. Yet a consideration of my 
connexions with the dear people of God in 
Birmingham, restrained my desires, and kept 
me from naming my wishes to any body, (as 
I remember) except to brother Carey. With 
him I was pretty free. We had an interest- 
ing conversation about it just before he left 
Europe. I shall never forget the manner of 
his saying, " Well, you will come after us. " 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 29 

My heart said, Amen! and my eagerness for 
the work increased; though I never talked 
freely about it, except to my wife, and we 
both then thought that my relation to the 
church in Cannon-street, and usefulness there, 
forbade any such an attempt. However, I 
have made it a constant matter of prayer, of- 
ten begging of God, as I did when first I was 
disposed for the work of the ministry, either 
that he would take away the desire, or open 
a door for its fulfilment. And the result has 
uniformly been, that the more spiritual I have 
been in the frame of my mind, the more love 
I have felt for God, and the more communion 
I have enjoyed with him, so much the more 
disposed have I been to engage as a mission- 
ary among the heathen. 

" Until the accounts came of our brethren's 
entrance on the work in India, my connex- 
ions in Europe pretty nearly balanced my 
desire for going abroad; and though I felt 
quite devoted to the Lord's will and work, 
yet I thought the scale rather preponderated 
on the side of my abiding in my present situa- 
tion. 

"But since our brethren's letters have in- 
formed us that there are such prospects of use- 
fulness in Hindostan, — that priests and peo- 
ple are ready to hear the word, — and that 
preachers are a thousand times more wanted, 
than people to preach to, my heart has been 
c 2 



30 MEMOIRS OF 

more deeply affected than everwith their con- 
dition; and my desires for a participation of 
the toils and pleasures, crosses and comforts 
of which they are the subjects, are advanced 
to an anxiety which nothing can remove, and 
time seems to increase. 

" It has pleased God also lately to teach 
me more than ever, that himself is the foun- 
tain of happiness; that likeness to him, friend- 
ship for him, and communion with him, form 
the basis of all true enjoyment; and that this 
can be attained as well in an eastern jungle, 
among Hindoos and Moors, as in the most 
polished parts of Europe. The very dispo- 
sition, which, blessed be my dear Redeemer ! 
he has given me, to be any thing, do any 
thing, or endure any thing, so that his name 
might be glorified, — I say, the disposition it- 
self is heaven begun below. I do feel a daily 
panting after more devotedness to his service, 
and I can never think of my suffering Lord, 
without dissolving into love; love which con- 
strains me to glorify him with my body and 
spirit, which are his. 

" I do often represent to myself all the 
possible hardships of a mission, arising from 
my own heart, the nature of the country, do- 
mestic connexions, disappointment in my 
hopes, &c. &c. And then I set over against 
them all, these two thoughts, — / am God's 
servant , and God is my friend. In this, 1 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 31 

anticipate happiness in the midst of suffering, 
light in darkness, and life in death. Yea, I 
do not count my life dear unto myself, so that 
I may win some poor heathens unto Christ; 
and I am willing to be offered as a sacrifice 
on the service of the faith of the gospel. 

" Mr. Home justly observes, ' that, in or- 
der to justify a man's undertaking the work 
of a missionary, he should be qualified for it, 
disposed heartily to enter upon it, and free 
from such ties as exclude an engagement.' — 
As to the first, others must judge for me; but 
they must not be men who have an interest in 
keeping me at home. I shall rejoice in op- 
portunities of attaining to an acquaintance 
with the ideas of judicious and impartial men 
in this matter, and with them I must leave it. 
A willingness to embark in this cause I do 
possess; and I can hardly persuade myself 
that God has for ten years inclined my heart 
to this work without having any thing for me 
to do in it. But the third thing requires more 
consideration; and here alone I hesitate."— 
Here he goes on to state all the objections 
from this quarter, with his answers to them, 
leaving it with his brethren to decide when 
they had heard the whole. 

The Committee, after the most serious and 
mature deliberation, plough they were fully 
satisfied as to brother Pearce's qualifications, 
and greatly approved of his spirit, yet were 



32 MEMOIRS OF 

unanimously ot opinion that he ought not to 
go; and that, not merely on account of his 
connexions at home, which might have been 
pleaded in the case of brother Carey, but on 
account of the mission itself, which required 
his assistance in the station which he already 
occupied. 

In this opinion, brother Carey himself, 
with singular disinterestedness of mind, after- 
wards concurred; and wrote to brother Pearce 
to the same effect.* 

On receiving the opinion of the Committee, 
he immediately wrote to Mrs. P. as follows : — 

M My dear Sarah, Northampton, Nov. 13, 1794,, 

"Iam disappointed, but not dismayed. I 
ever wish to make my Saviour's will my own. 
I am more satisfied than ever I expected I 
should be with a negative upon my earnest 
desires, because the business has been so eon- 
ducted, that, I think, (if by any means such 
an issue could be insured) the mind of Christ 
has been obtained. My dear brethren here 
have treated the affair with as much serious- 
ness and affection as I could possibly desire, 
and, I think, more than so insignificant a 
worm could expect. After we had spent the 
former part of this day in fasting and prayer, 
with conversation on the subject, till near two 

* See Periodical Accounts, No. V. p. 374. 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 33 

o'clock, brother Potts, King, and I retired. 
We prayed while the Committee consulted. 
The case seemed difficult, and I suppose they 
were nearly two hours in deciding. At last, 
time forced them to a point; and their answer 
I enclose for your satisfaction. Pray take care 
of it; it will serve for me to refer to when my 
mind may labour beneath a burden of guilt 
another day. 

I am my dear Sarah's own S. P." 

The decision of the Committee, though it 
rendered him much more reconciled to abide 
in his native country than he could have been 
without it; yet did not in the least abate 
his zeal for the object. As he could not pro- 
mote it abroad, he seemed resolved to lay him- 
self out more for it at home. In March, 1795, 
after a dangerous illness, he says in a letter 
to Mr. Fuller — " Through mercy I am almost 
in a state of convalescence. May my spared 
life be wholly devoted to the service of my 
dear Redeemer. I do not care where I am, 
whether in England or in India, so I am em- 
ployed as he would have me; but surely we 
need pray hard that God would send some 
more help to Hindostan." 

In January, 1796, when he was first inform- 
ed by the Secretary, of a young man, (Mr. 
Fountain) being desirous of going, of the cha- 
racter that was given of him by our friend Mr. 



34 MEMOIRS OF 

Savage, of London, and of a Committee Meet- 
ing being in contemplation, he wrote thus in 
answer — " Your letter, just arrived, put — I 
was going to say, another soul into my little 
body; at least it has added new life to the 
soul I have. I cannot be contented with the 
thought of being absent from your proposed 
meeting. No, no; I must be there, (for my 
own sake I mean) and try to sing with you, 
" O'er the gloomy hills of darkness."* 

In August, the same year, having received 
a letter from India, he wrote to Mr. Fuller as 
follows — " Brother Carey speaks in such a 
manner of the effects of the gospel in his neigh- 
bourhood, as in my view promises a fair illus- 
tration of our Lord's parable, when he com- 
pared the kingdom of heaven to a little leaven, 
hid in three measures of meal, which insinua- 
ted itself so effectually as to leaven the lump 
at last. Blessed be God, the leaven is already 
in the meal. The fermentation is begun; and 
my hopes were never half so strong as they 
are now, that the whole shall be effectually 
leavened. O that I were there to wit- 
ness the delightful process! But whither 
am I running? — I long to write you from 
hindostan!" 

On receiving other letters from India, in 
January, 1797, he thus writes: — "Perhaps 

* The 428th Hymn of Dr. Rippon's Selection. 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 35 

you are now rejoicing in spirit with me over 
fresh intelligence from Bengal. This mo- 
ment have I concluded reading two letters 
from brother Thomas: one to the Society, 
and the other to myself. He speaks of others 
from brother Carey. I hope they are already 
in your possession. If his correspondence 
has produced the same effects on your heart 
as brother Thomas's has on mine, you are 
filled with gladness and hope. I am grieved 
that I cannot convey them to you immediate- 
ly. I long to witness the pleasure their con- 
tents will impart to all whose hearts are with 
us. that I were accounted worthy of the 
Lord to preach the gospel to the Booteas!" 

It has been already observed, that for a 
month preceding the decision of the Commit- 
tee, he resolved to devote one day in every 
week to secret prayer and fasting, and to keep 
a diary of the exercises of his mind during the 
whole of that period. This diary was not 
shown to the Committee at that time, but 
merely the preceding narrative. Since his 
death a few of them have perused it; and 
have been almost ready to think, that if they 
had seen it before, they dare not oppose his 
going. But the Lord hath taken him to him- 
self. It no longer remains a question now, 
whether he shall labour in England or in In- 
dia. A few passages, however, from this 
transcript of his heart, while contemplating a 



36 MEMOIRS OF 

great and disinterested undertaking, will fur- 
nish a better idea of his character than could 
be given by any other hand. 

" Oct. 8, 1794. Had some remarkable 
freedom and affection this morning, both in 
family and secret prayer. With many tears 
I dedicated myself, body and soul, to the ser- 
vice of Jesus; and earnestly implored full 
satisfaction respecting the path of duty.— I 
feel a growing deadness for all earthly com- 
forts; and derive my happiness immediately 
from God himself. May I still endure, as 
Moses did, by seeing him who is invisible ! 

" Oct. 10. Enjoyed much freedom to-day 
in the family. Whilst noticing in prayer the 
state of the millions of heathen who know not 
God, I felt the aggregate value of their im- 
mortal souls with peculiar energy. 

" Afterwards was much struck whilst (on 
my knees before God in secret) I read the 
fourth chapter of Micah. The ninth verse I 
fancied very applicable to the church in Can- 
non-street: but what reason is there for such 
a cry about so insignificant a worm as I am ? 
The third chapter of Habakkuk too well ex- 
presses that mixture of solemnity and confi- 
dence with which I contemplate the work of 
the mission. 

" Whilst at prayer-meeting to-night, I 
learned more of the meaning of some passages 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 37 

of scripture than ever before. Suitable frames 
of soul are like good lights, in which a paint- 
ing appears to its full advantage. I had often 
meditated on Phil. iii. 7, 8, and Gal. vi. 14: 
but never felt crucifixion to the world, and 
disesteem for all that it contains as at that 
time. All prospects of pecuniary indepen- 
dence, and growing reputation, with which, 
in un worthier moments, I had amused myself, 
were now chased from my mind; and the de- 
sire of living wholly to Christ swallowed up 
every other thought. Frowns and smiles, ful- 
ness or want, honour and reproach, were now 
equally indifferent; and when I concluded the 
meeting, my whole soul felt, as it were, go- 
ing after the lost sheep of Christ among the 
heathen. 

64 1 do feel a growing satisfaction in the 
proposal of spending my whole life in some- 
thing nobler than the locality of this island will 
admit. I long to raise my Master's banner 
in climes where the sound of his fame hath but 
scarcely reached. He hath said, for my encou- 
ragement, that all nations shall flow unto it. 

" The conduct and success of Stach, Boon- 
ish, and other Moravian missionaries in Green- 
land, both confound and stimulate me. O 
Lord, forgive my past indolence in thy service, 
and help me to redeem the residue of my days 
for exertions more worthy a friend ot man- 
kind, and a servant of God. 



38 MEMOIRS OF 

" Oct. 13. Being taken up with visitors the 
former part of the day, I spent the after part 
in application to the Bengal language, and 
found the difficulties I apprehended vanish as 
fast as I encountered them. I read and pray- 
ed, prayed and. read, and made no small ad- 
vances. Blessed be God i 

" Oct. 15. There are in Birmingham 50,000 
inhabitants; and exclusive of the vicinity, ten 
ministers who preach the fundamental truths 
of the gospel. In Hindostan there are twice 
as many millions of inhabitants; and not so 
many gospel preachers. Now Jesus Christ 
hath commanded his ministers to go into all 
the world, and preach the gospel to every 
creature. Why should we be so dispropor- 
tionate in our labours? Peculiar circumstances 
must not be urged against positive commands : 
I am therefore bound, if others do not go,* to 
make the means more proportionate to the 
multitude. 

" To-night, reading some letters from bro- 
ther Carey, in which he speaks of his wife's ill- 
ness when she first came into the country, I 
endeavoured to realize myself not only with 
a sick, but a dead wife. The thought was 
like a cold dagger to my heart at first; but on 
recollection I considered that the same God 
ruled in India as in Europe; and that he could 
either preserve her, or support me, as well 
there as here. My business is only to be 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 39 

where he would have me. Other things I 
leave to him. Lord, though with timidity, 
yet I hope not without satisfaction, I look 
every possible evil in the face, and say, <,Thy 
will be done.' 

" Oct. 17. This is the first day I have set 
apart for extraordinary devotion in relation to 
my present exercise of mind. Rose earlier 
than usual, and began the day in prayer that 
God would be with me in every part of it, and 
grant that the end I have in view may be clear- 
ly ascertained — the knowledge of his will. 

" Considering the importance of the work 
before me, I began at the foundation of all re- 
ligion, and reviewed the grounds on which I 
stood; the being of a God, the relation of man- 
kind to him, with the divine inspiration of the 
scriptures; and the review afforded me great 
satisfaction.* I also compared the different 
religions which claimed divine origin, and 
found little difficulty in determining which 
had most internal evidence of its divinity. I 

* There is a wide difference between admitting these 
principles in theory, and making use of them. David 
might have worn Saul's accoutrements at a parade: 
but in meeting Goliath he must go forth in an armour 
that had been tried. A mariner may sit in his cabin 
at his ease while the ship is in harbour : but ere he un- 
dertakes a voyage he must examine its soundness, and 
whether it will endure the storms which may over- 
take him. 



40 MEMOIRS OF 

attentively read, and seriously considered 
Doddridge's three excellent sermons on the 
evidences of the Christian religion, which was 
followed by such conviction, that 1 had hardly 
patience to conclude the book before I fell on 
my knees before God to bless him for such 
a religion, established on such a basis; and I 
have received more solid satisfaction this day 
upon the subject than ever I did before. 

" Oct. 18. I dreamed that I saw one of the 
christian Hindoos. O how I loved him! I 
long to realize my dream. Surely then will 
come to pass the saying that is written, ' In 
Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, Barba- 
rian, Scythian, bond nor free, all are one in 
him.' 

" Have been happy to-day in completing the 
manuscript of Periodical Accounts, Any thing- 
relative to the salvation of the heathen, brings 
a certain pleasure with it. I find I cannot 
pray, nor converse, nor read, nor study, nor 
preach with satisfaction, without reference to 
this subject. 

" In the evening I found some little diffi- 
culty with the language; but considering how 
merchants and captains overcome this diffi- 
culty for the sake of wealth, I sat confounded 
before the Lord that I should ever have in- 
dulged such a thought; and looking up to him, 
I set about it with cheerfulness, and found 
that I was making a sensible 'advance, aU 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 41 

though I can never apply till 1 1 o'clock at 
night, on account of m y other duties. * 

' ' Preached from 2 Kings, iv. 26. 'It is 
well.' Was much enlarged both in thought 
and expression. Whilst speaking of the satis- 
faction enjoyed by a truly pious mind, when 
it feels itself in all circumstances and times 
in the hand of a good God, I felt, that were 
the universe destroyed, and I the only being 
in it, beside God, he is fully adequate to my 
complete happiness; and had I been in an 
African wood, surrounded with venomous ser- 
pents, devouring beasts, and savage men, in 
such a frame', I should be the subject of per- 
fect peace and exalted joy. Yes, O my God, 
thou hast taught me that thou alone art wor- 
thy of my confidence; and with this sentiment 
fixed in my heart, I am free from all solicitude 
about any temporal prospects or concerns. 
If thy presence be enjoyed, poverty shall be 

* Night studies, often continued till two or three 
o'clock in the morning, it is to be feared, were the first 
occasion of impairing Mr. Pearce's health, and brought 
on that train of nervous sensations with which he was 
afterwards afflicted. Though not much accustomed 
to converse on this subject, he once acknowledged to 
a brother in the ministry, that owing to his enervated 
state, he sometimes dreaded the approach of public 
services to such a degree, that he would rather have 
submitted to stripes than engage in them ; and that 
while in the pulpit, he was frequently distressed with 
the apprehension of falling over it. 
D 2 



4£ MEMOIRS OF 

riches, darkness light, affliction prosperity* 
reproach my honour, and fatigue my rest: 
and thou hast said, ' My presence shall go 
with thee. 9 Enough, Lord, I ask for nothing? 
nothing more. 

" But how sad the proofs of our depravity; 
and how insecure the best frames we enjoy I 
Returning home, a wicked expression from a 
person who passed me caught my ear, and oc- 
curred so often to my thoughts for some mi- 
nutes, as to bring guilt upon my mind, and 
overwhelm me with shame before God. But 
I appealed to God for my hatred of all such 
things, secretly confessed the sin of my heart? 
and again ventured to the mercy-seat. On 
such occasions, how precious a Mediator is to 
the souL 

" Oct. 23. Have found a little time to ap- 
ply to the Bengalee language. How pleasant 
it is to work for God ! Love transforms thorns 
to roses, and makes pain itself a pleasure* I 
never sat down to any study with such pecu- 
liar and continued satisfaction. The thought 
of exalting the Redeemer in this language, is 
a spur to my application paramount to every 
discouragement for want of a living tutor. I 
have passed this day with an abiding satisfac- 
tion respecting my present views. 

"Oct. 24. O for the enlightening, enliven- 
ing, and sanctifying presence of God to-day I 
It is the second of tliose days of extraordinary 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 43 

devotion which I have set apart for seeking 
God, in relation to the mission. How shall I 
spend it ? 1 will devote the morning to prayer, 
reading, and meditation \ and the afternoon to 
visiting the wretched, and relieving the needy. 
May God accept my services, guide me by his 
counsel, and employ me for his praise ! 

" Having besought the Lord that he would 
not suffer me to deceive myself in so impor- 
tant a matter as that which I had now retired 
to consider, and exercised some confidence 
that he would be the rewarder of those who 
diligently seek him, I read the 119th Psalm 
at the conclusion of my prayer, and felt and 
wondered at the congruity of so many of the 
verses to the breathings of my own heart. 
Often, with holy admiration, I paused, and 
read, and thought, and prayed over the verse 
again, especially verses 20, 31, 59, 60, 112, 
145, 146. ; My soul breaketh for the longing 
that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 
I have stuck unto thy testimonies; O Lord, 
put me not to shame.' 

"Most of the morning I spent in seriously 
reading Mr. Home's Letters on Missions, 
having first begged of the Lord to make the 
perusal profitable to my instruction in the 
path of duty. To the interrogation, « Which 
of you will forsake all, deny himself, take up 
his cross, and, if God pleases, die for his re- 
ligion?' I replied spontaneously, Blessed be 



44 MEMOIRS OF 

God, I am willing! Lord, help me to accom- 
plish it! 

" Closed this season with reading the 61st 
and 62d chapters of Isaiah, and prayer for 
the church of God at large, my own congre- 
gation, the heathens, the society, brethren 
Thomas and Carey, all missionaries whom 
God hath sent of every denomination, my 
own case, my wife and family, and for assist- 
ance in my work. 

" The after part of this day has been gloomy 
indeed. All the painful circumstances which 
can attend my going have met upon my heart, 
and formed a load almost insupportable. A 
number of things, which have been some time 
accumulating, have united their pressure, and 
made me groan being burdened. Whilst at a 
prayer-meeting I looked round on my Chris- 
tian friends, and said to myself, A few months 
more, and probably I shall leave you all ! But 
in the deepest of my gloom, I resolved though 
faint yet to pursue, not doubting but my Lord 
would give me strength equal to the day. 

" I had scarcely formed this resolution be- 
fore it occurred, My Lord and Master was a 
man of sorrows. Oppressed, and covered with 
blood, he cried, ' If it be possible, let this 
cup pass from me.' Yet in the depth of his 
agonies, he added, ' Thy will be done.' This 
thought was to me what the sight of the cross 
was to Bunyan's pilgrim; I lost my burden, 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 45 

Spent the remainder of the meeting in sweet 
communion with God. 

" But on coming home, the sight of Mrs. 
Pearce replaced my load. She had for some 
time been much discouraged at the thoughts 
of going. I therefore felt reluctant to say 
any thing on this subject, thinking it would 
be unpleasant to her : but though I strove to 
conceal it, an involuntary sigh betrayed my 
uneasiness. She kindly inquired the cause. 
I avoided at first an explanation, till she, 
guessing the reason, said to this effect — ' I hope 
you will be no more uneasy on my account. 
For the last two or three days, 1 have been 
more comfortable than ever in the thought of 
going. I have considered the steps you are 
pursuing to know the mind of God, and I 
think you cannot take more proper ones. 
When you consult the ministers, you should 
represent your obstacles as strongly as your 
inducements; and then, if they advise your 
going, though the parting from my friends 
will be almost insupportable, yet I will make 
myself as happy as I can, and God can make 
me happy any where. 5 

" Should this little Diary fall into the hands 
of a man having the soul of a missionary, cir- 
cumstanced as I am, he will be the only man 
capable of sharing my peace, my joy, my grati- 
tude, my rapture of soul. Thus at evening 
tide it is light; thus God brings his people 



46 MEMOIRS OF 

through lire and through water into a wealthy 
place; thus those who ask do receive, and 
their joy is full. O love the Lord, ye his 
saints : there is no want to them that fear him ! 

"Oct. 28. Still panting to preach Jesus 
among my fellow sinners to whom he is yet 
unknown. Wrote to Dr. Rogers, of Phila- 
delphia, to-day, upon the subject, with free- 
dom and warmth, and inquired whether, 
whilst the people of the United States were 
forming societies to encourage arts, liberty, 
and emigration, there could not a few be 
found among them who would form a society 
for the transmission of the word of life to the 
benighted heathens; or in case that could not 
be, whether they might not strengthen our 
hands in Europe, by some benevolent proofs 
of concurring with us in a design, which they 
speak of with such approbation? With this I 
sent Home's Letters. I will follow both with 
my prayers, and who can tell ? 

« Oct. 29. Looked over the Code of Hin- 
doo Laws to-day. How much is there to ad- 
mire in it, founded on the principles of justice. 
The most salutary regulations are adopted in 
many circumstances. But what a pity that so 
much excellence should be abased by laws to 
establish or countenance idolatry, magic, pros- 
titution, prayers for the dead, false-witnessing, 
theft and suicide. How perfect is the morali- 
ty of the gospel of Jesus; and how desirable 



Tflfi REV. SAMUEL FEARCE. 47 

that they should embrace it ! Ought not means 
to be used? Can we assist them too soon ? 
There is reason to think that their Shasters* 
were penned soon after the deluge: and are 
not 4000 years long enough for 100 millions 
of men to be under the empire of the devil? 

"Oct. 31. I am encouraged to enter upon 
this day (which I set apart for supplicating 
God) by a recollection of his promises to those 
who seek him. If the sacred word be true, 
the servants of God can never seek his face in 
vain; and as I am conscious of my sincerity 
and earnest desire only to know his pleasure 
that I may perform it, I find a degree of con- 
fidence that I shall realize the fulfilment of 
the word on which he causeth me to hope. 

" Began the day with solemn prayer for the 
assistance of the Holy Spirit in my present 
exercise, that so I might enjoy the spirit and 
power of prayer, and have my personal re- 
ligion improved, as well as my public steps 
directed. In this duty I found a little quick- 
ening. 

" I then read over the narrative of my ex- 
perience, and my journal. I find my views 
are still the same; but my heart is much more 
established than when I began to write. 

" Was much struck in reading Paul's 
words in 2 Cor. i. 17, when after speaking of 

* The sacred books of the Hindoos. 



48 MEMOIRS OF 

his purpose to travel for the preaching of the 
gospel, he saith, ; Did I then use lightness 
when I was thus minded ? Or the things that 
I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, 
that with me there should be yea, yea — nay, 
nay?' The piety of the apostle in not purpos- 
ing after the flesh, the seriousness of spirit 
with which he formed his designs, and his 
steadfast adherence to them, were in my view 
worthy of the highest admiration and strictest 
imitation. 

" Thinking that I might get some assistance 
from David Brainerd's experience, I read his 
life to the time of his being appointed a mis- 
sionary among the Indians. The exalted de- 
votion of that dear man almost made me ques- 
tion mine. Yet at some seasons he speaks of 
sinking as well as rising. His singular piety 
excepted, his feelings, prayers, desires, com- 
forts, hopes, and sorrows, are my own; and if 
I could follow him in nothing else, I knew I 
had been enabled to say this with him, < I feel 
exceedingly calm, and quite resigned to God 
respecting my future improvement (or sta- 
tion) when and where he pleased. My faith 
lifted me above the world, and removed all 
those mountains, which I could not look over 
of late. I thought I wanted not the favour 
of man to lean upon; for I knew God's favour 
was infinitely better, and that it was no mat- 
ter where or when or how Christ should send 






THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 49 

me, nor with what trials he should still exer- 
cise me, if I might be prepared for his work 
and will. ? * 

" Read the ii. iii. iv. v. and vi. chapters of 
the second epistle to the Corinthians. Felt 
a kind of placidity, but hot much joy. On 
beginning the concluding prayer, I had no 
strength to wrestle, nor power with God at 
all. I seemed as one desolate and forsaken. I 
prayed for myself, the society, the missiona- 
ries, the converted Hindoos, the church in 
Cannon- street, my family, and ministry; but 
yet all was dulness, and I feared I had offend- 
ed the Lord. I felt but little zeal for the mis- 
sion, and was about to conclude with a lamen- 
tation over the hardness of my heart; when of 
a sudden it pleased God to smite the rock 
with the rod of his Spirit, and immediately 
the waters began to flow. what a heavenly, 
glorious, melting power was it! My eyes, al- 
most closed with weeping, hardly suffer me to 
write. I feel it over again. what a view 
of the love of a crucified Redeemer did I en- 
joy! the attractions of his cross, how power- 
ful ! The Bible lying open before me (upon 
my knees) many passages caught my eye and 
confirmed the purposes of my heart. If ever 
in my life I knew any thing of the influences 



* The Life of Brainerd is published by the Ame- 
rican S. S. Union. 



50 



MEMOIRS OF 



of the Holy Spirit, I did at this time. I was 
swallowed up in God. Hunger, fulness, cold, 
heat, friends, and enemies, all seemed nothing 
before God. I was in a new world. All was 
delightful; for Christ was all, and in all. 
Many times I concluded prayer, but when 
rising from my knees, communion with God 
was so desirable, that I was sweetly drawn to 
it again and again, till my animal strength was 
almost exhausted. Then I thought it would 
be pleasure to burn for God. 

" And now while I write, such a heavenly 
sweetness tills my soul, that no exterior cir- 
cumstances can remove it; and I do uniformly 
feel, that the more I am thus, the more I pant 
for the service of my blessed Jesus among the 
heathen. Yes, my dear, my dying Lord, I 
am thine, thy servant; and if I neglect the 
service of so good a Master, I may well ex- 
pect a guilty conscience in life, and a death 
awful as that of Judas or of Spira ! 

" This evening I had a meeting with my 
friends. Returned much dejected. Review- 
ed a letter from brother Fuller, which, though 
he says he has many objections to my going, 
yet is so affectionately expressed as to yield 
me a gratification. 

"Nov. 3. This evening received a letter from 
brother Ryland, containing many objections: 
but contradiction itself is pleasant when it is 
the voice of judgment mingled with affection. 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 51 

I wish to remember that / may be mistaken, 
though I cannot say I am at present con- 
vinced that it is so. I am happy to find that 
brother Ryland approves of my referring it to 
the Committee. I have much confidence in 
the judgment of my brethren, and hope I shall 
be perfectly satisfied with their advice. I do 
think, however, if they knew how earnestly I 
pant for the work, it would be impossible for 
them to withhold their ready acquiescence. 

Lord, thou knowest my sincerity, and that 
if I go not to the work it will not be owing to 
any reluctance on my part ! If I stay in Eng- 
land, I fear I shall be a poor useless drone; 
or if a sense of duty prompt me to activity, I 
doubt whether I shall ever know inward peace 
and joy again. Lord, I am, thou knowest 

1 am oppressed; undertake for me ! 

' ' Nov. 5. At times to-day I have been re- 
conciled to the thought of staying if any bre- 
thren should so advise; but at other times I 
seem to think I could not. I look at brother 
Carey's portrait as it hangs in my study; I 
love him in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and 
long to join his labours; every look calls up a 
hundred thoughts, all of which inflame my 
desire to be a fellow r -labourer with him in the 
work of the Lord. One thing, however, I am 
resolved upon, that, the Lord keeping me, if 
I cannot go abroad, I will do all I can to serve 
the mission at home. 55 



52 MEMOIRS OF 

The result of the Committee Meeting has 
already been related; together with the state 
of his mind, as far as could be collected from 
his letters, for some time after it. The ter- 
mination of these tender and interesting exer- 
cises, and of all his other labours, in so speedy 
a removal from the present scene of action, 
may teach us not to draw any certain conclu- 
sion as to the designs of God concerning our 
future labours, from the ardour or sincerity of 
our feelings. He may take it well that " it 
was in our hearts to build him an house, 55 
though he should for wise reasons have deter- 
mined not to gratify us. 

CHAPTER III. 

His exercises and labours, from the time of 
his giving up the idea of going abroad, to 
the commencement of his last affliction. 

Had the multiplied labours of this excellent 
man permitted his keeping a regular diary, we 
may see by the foregoing specimen of a single 
month, what a rich store of truly Christian 
experience would have pervaded these Me- 
moirs. We should then have been better able 
to trace the gradual openings of his holy mind, 
and the springs of that extraordinary unction 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 53 

of spirit, and energy of action, by which his 
life was distinguished. As it is,, we can only 
collect a few gleanings, partly from memory, 
and partly from letters communicated by his 
friends. 

This chapter will include a period of about 
four years, during which he went twice to 
London to collect for the Baptist mission, 
and once he visited Dublin, at the invitation 
of the Evangelical Society in that city. 

There appears throughout the general tenor 
of his life, a singular submissiveness to the 
will of God; and what is worthy of notice, 
this disposition was generally most conspicu- 
ous when his own will was most counteracted. 
The justness of this remark is sufficiently ap- 
parent from his letter to Mrs. Pearce, of Nov. 
13, 1794,* after the decision of the Commit- 
tee; and the same spirit was carried into the 
common concerns of life. Thus, about a 
month afterwards, when his dear Louisa was 
ill of a fever, he thus writes from Northampton 
to Mrs. Pearce: — 

" My dear Sarah, December 13, 1794. 

" I am just brought on the wings of celes- 
tial mercy safe to my Sabbath's station. I 
am well; and my dear friends here seem 
healthy and happy: but I feel for you. I long 

* See page 32. 
E 2 



54 MEMOIRS OF 

to know how our dear Louisa's pulse beats: I 
fear still feverish. We must not, however, 
suffer ourselves to he infected with a mental 
fever on this account. Is she ill ? It is right. 

Is she very ill? dying? It still is right. 

Is she gone to join the heavenly choristers ? 
It is all right, notwithstanding our repin- 
ings — —Repinings! no; we will not repine. 
It is best she should go. It is best for her. 
This we must allow. It is best for as. Do 
we expect it? what poor, ungrateful, 
short-sighted worms are we ! Let us submit, 
my Sarah, tilij we come to heaven: if we do 
not then see that it is best, let us then com- 
plain. But why do I attempt to console? 
Perhaps an indulgent Providence has ere now 
dissipated your fears: or if that same kind 
Providence has removed our babe, you have 
consolation enough in him who suffered more 
than we; and more than enough to quiet all 
our passions, in that astonishing considera- 
tion, — ' God so loved the world, that he spared 
not his own Son.' Did God cheerfully give 
the holy child Jesus for us ? and shall we re- 
fuse our child to him! He gave his Son to 
suffer : he takes our children to enjoy: Yes, 
to enjoy himself. 

Yours, with the tenderest regard, S. P." 

In June, 1795, he attended the Association 
at Kettering, partly on account of some mis 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 55 

sionary business there to be transacted. That 
was a season of great joy to many, especially 
the last forenoon previous to parting. From 
thence he wrote to Mrs, Pearce as follows: — 

" From a pew in the house of God at Ket- 
tering, with my cup of joy running over, I 
address you by the hand of brother Simmons. 
Had it pleased Divine Providence to have 
permitted your accompanying me, my plea- 
sures would have received no small addition! 
because I should have hoped that you would 
have been filled with similar consolation, and 
have received equal edification by the precious 
means of grace on which I have attended. In- 
deed, I never remember to have enjoyed a 
public meeting to such a high degree since I 
have been in the habit of attending upon them. 
Oh that I may return to you, and the clear 
church of God, in the fulness of the blessing 
of the gospel of Christ! I hope, my beloved, 
that you are not without the enjoyment of the 
sweetness and the supports of the blessed gos- 
pel. Oh that you may get and keep near to 
God, and in him find infinitely more than 
you can possibly lose by your husband's ab- 
sence! 

" Mr. Hall preached, last evening, from 
1 Pet. i. 8. A most evangelical and experi- 
mental season! I was charmed and warmed. 
Oh that Jesus may go on to reveal himself to 



56 MEMOIRS OF 

him as altogether lovely! I am unable to 
write more now. To-day I set oft' for North- 
ampton, and preach there to-night. The 
Lord bless you!" 

In July, 1795, he received a pressing in- 
vitation from The General Evangelical So- 
ciety in Dublin, to pay them a visit, and to 
assist in diffusing the gospel of the grace of 
God in that kingdom. To this invitation he 
replied in the following letter, addressed to 
Dr. M'Dowal:— 

Birmingham, August 3, 1795. 
" Rev. and dear Sir, 

" I received your favour of the 2 2d ult. and 
for the interesting reason you assign, transmit 
a ' speedy answer. ? The Society, on whose 
behalf you wrote, I have ever considered with 
the respect due to the real friends of the best 
of causes — the cause of God and of his Christ: 
a cause which embraces the most important 
and durable interests of our fellow men: and 
your name, dear sir, I have been taught to 
hold in more than common esteem oy my 
dear brother and father, Messrs. Birt and 
Francis. The benevolent institution which 
you are engaged in supporting, I am per- 
suaded deserves more than the good wishes 
or prayers of your brethren in the kingdom 
and patience of Jesus, on this side the channel $ 



THE REV, SAMUEL PEARCE. 57 

and it will yield me substantial pleasure to 
afford personal assistance in your pious la- 
bours. But, for the present, I am sorry to 
say, I must decline your proposal: being en- 
gaged to spend a month in London this au- 
tumn, on the business of our Mission Society., 
of which you have probably heard. 

" When I formed my present connexions 
with the church in Birmingham, I proposed 
an annual freedom for six weeks from my 
pastoral duties; and should the ' Evangelical 
Society' express a wish for my services the 
ensuing year, I am perfectly inclined, God 
willing, to spend that time beneath 'their di- 
rection, and at what part of the year they 
conceive a visit would be most serviceable to 
the good design. I only request, that should 
this be their desire, I may receive the infor- 
mation as soon as they can conveniently de- 
cide, that I may withhold myself from other 
engagements, which may interfere with the 
time they may appoint. I entreat you to 
make my Christian respects acceptable to the 
gentlemen who compose the society, and as- 
sure yourself that I am, dear sir, respectfully 
and affectionately, 

Your brother in our Lord Jesus, S. P." 

The invitation was repeated, and he com- 
plied with their request, engaging to go over 
in the month of June, 1796. 



58 



MEMOIRS OF 



A little before this journey, it occurred to 
Dr. Ryland, that a mission into Cornwall might 
be of use to the cause of true religion, and 
that two acceptable ministers might be in- 
duced to undertake it; and that if executed 
during the vacation at the Bristol Academy, 
two of the students might supply their place. 
He communicated his thoughts to Mr. Pearce, 
who wrote thus in answer : — 

May 30, 1796. 
" My very dear Brother, 

" I thank you a thousand times for your last 
letter. Blessed be God, who hath put it into 
your heart to propose such a plan for increas- 
ing the boundaries of Zion. I have read your 
letter to our wisest friends here, and they 
heard it with great joy. The plan, the place, 
the mode, the persons — all, all meet our most 
affectionate wishes. How did such a scheme 
never enter our minds before ! Alas, we have 
nothing in our hearts that is worth having, 
save what God puts there. Do write to me 
when at Dublin, and tell me whether it be re- 
solved on; when they set out, &c. I hope 
ere long to hear, that as many disciples are 
employed in Great Britain, as the Saviour 
employed in Judea. When he gives the 
word, great will be the company of the 
preachers. 

"Oh, my dear brother, let us go on still 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 59 

praying, contriving, labouring, defending, un- 
til ' the little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, 
and the small stone from the mountain fill the 
whole earth.' 

' ' What pleasures do those lose who have 
no interest in God's gracious and holy cause ! 
How thankful should we be, that we are not 
strangers to the joy which the friends of Zion 
feel when the Lord turneth again Zion's cap- 
tivity. I am, beyond expression, 

Your affectionate brother in Christ, S. P." 

On May 31, he set off for Dublin, and " the 
Lord prospered his way, so that he arrived at 
the time appointed; and from every account 
it appears, that he was not only sent in the 
fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace, 
but that the Lord himself went with him. His 
preaching was not only highly acceptable to 
every class of hearers, but the word came 
from him with power, and there is abundant 
reason to believe, that many will, through 
eternity, praise God for sending his message 
to them by this dear ambassador of Christ. 
His memory lives in their hearts, and they 
join with the other churches of Christ in de- 
ploring the loss they have sustained by his 
death. 

" He was earnestly solicited by the Evan- 
gelical Society to renew his visit to that king- 
dom, in 1798. Ready to embrace every call 



60 MEMOIRS OF 

of duty, he had signified his compliance; and 
the time was fixed: but the breaking out of 
the rebellion prevented him from realizing his 
intention. This was a painful disappointment 
to many, who wished once more to see his 
face, and to have, heard the glad tidings from 
his lips." 

Such is the brief account of his visit to Dub- 
lin, given by Dr. M'Dowal. The following 
letter was written to Mrs. Pearce, when he 
had been there a little more than a week : — 

Dublin, June 31, 1796. 

"I long to know how you do, and you will 
be as much concerned to know how I go on at 
this distance from you. I haste to satisfy 
your inquiries. 

" I am in perfect health: am delightfully 
disappointed with the place, and its inhabi- 
tants. I am very thankful that I came over. 
I have found much more religion here already 
than I expected to meet .with during the whole 
of my stay. The prospect of usefulness is 
flattering. I have already many more friends 
(I hope Christian friends) than I can gratify 
by visits. Many doors are open for preach- 
ing the gospel in the city; and my country ex- 
cursions will probably be few. Thus much 
for outline. 

" But you will like to know how I spend 
my time, &c. Well then — I am at the house 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 61 

of Mr. H , late High-Sheriff for the city: 

a gentleman of opulence, respectability and 
evangelical piety. He is by profession a 
Presbyterian; an elder of Dr. M'DowaPs 
church; has a most amiable wife, and four 
children. I am very thankful for being 
placed here during my stay. I am quite at 
home, I mean as to ease and familiarity; for 
as to style of living, I neither do, nor desire 
to equal it. Yet in my present situation it is 
convenient. It would, however, be sickening 
and dull, had I not a God to go to, to con- 
verse with, to enjoy, and to call my own. Oh, 
'tis this, 'tis this, my dearest Sarah, which 
gives a point to every enjoyment, and sweet- 
ens all the cup of life. 

" The Lord's day after I wrote to you last, 
I preached for Dr. M'Dowal in the morning, 
at half past eleven; heard a Mr. Kilburne at 
five; and preached again at Plunket-street at 
seven. On Tuesday evening I preached at 
an hospital, and on Thursday evening at 
Plunket-street again. Yesterday, for the 
Baptists in the morning, Dr. M'Dowal at five, 
and at Plunket-street at seven. 

" The hours of worship will appear singular 
to you: they depend on the usual meal times. 
We breakfast at ten; dine between four and 
five, sometimes between five and six; take tea 
from seven to nine; and sup from ten to 
twelve. 



62 MEMOIRS OF 

" I thank God that I possess an abiding de- 
termination to aim at the consciences of the 
people in every discourse. I have borne the 
most positive testimony against the prevailing 
evils of professors here: — as, sensuality, 
gaiety, vain amusements, neglect of the Sab- 
bath, &c. and last night, told an immense 
crowd of professors of the first rank, ' that if 
they made custom and fashion their plea, they 
were awfully deluding their souls; for it had 
always been the fashion to insult God, to dis- 
sipate time, and to pursue the broad road to 
hell; but it would not lessen their torments 
there, that the way to damnation was the 
fashion. 9 

" I expected my faithfulness would have 
given them offence; but I am persuaded it 
was the way to please the Lord, and those 
whom I expected would be enemies, are not 
only at peace with me, but even renounce 
their sensual indulgences to attend on my 
ministry. I do assuredly believe that God 
hath sent me hither for good. The five 
o'clock meetings are miserably attended in 
general. In a house that will hold 1,500, or 
2,000 people, you will hardly see above fifty! 
Yesterday morning I preached on the subject 
of public worship, from Psalm v. 7, and seri- 
ously warned them against preferring their 
bellies to God, and their own houses to his. 
I was delighted and surprised, at the five 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 63 

o'clock meeting to see the place nearly full. 
Surely this is the Lord's doing, and it is mar- 
vellous in my eyes. Never, never did I more 
feel how weak I am in myself, — a mere no- 
thing; and how strong I am in the omnipo- 
tence of God. I feel a superiority to all fear, 
and possess a conscious dignity in being the 
ambassador of God. Oh help me to praise, 
for it is he alone who teacheth my hands to 
war, and my fingers to fight: and still pray 
for me; for if he withdraw for a moment, I 
become as weak and unprofitable as the briars 
of the wilderness. 

" You cannot think how much I am sup- 
ported by the assurance that I have left a 
praying people at Birmingham; and I believe, 
that in answer to their prayers I have hitherto 
been wonderfully assisted in my public work, 
as well as enjoyed much in private devotion. 
. " I have formed a most pleasing acquaint- 
ance with several serious young men in the 
University here, and with two of the fellows 
of the College; most pious gentlemen indeed, 
who have undergone a world of reproach for 
Christ and his gospel, and have been forbid- 
den to preach in the churches by the Arch- 
bishop; but God has raised another house for 
them here, where they preach with much suc- 
cess, and have begun a meeting in the College, 
which promises fresh prosperity to the cause 
of Jesus." 



64 MEMOIRS OF 

The following particulars, in addition to 
the above, are taken partly from some notes 
in his own hand writing, and partly from the 
account given by his friend, Mr. Summers, 
who accompanied him during the latter part 
of his visits. 

At his first arrival, the congregations were 
but thinly attended, and the Baptist congre- 
gation in particular, amongst whom he de- 
livered several discourses. It much affected 
him to see the whole city given to sensuality 
and worldly conformity $ and especially to find 
those of his own denomination amongst the 
lowest, and least affected with their condition. 
But the longer he continued, the more the 
congregations increased, and every opportu- 
nity became increasingly interesting, both to 
him and them. His faithful remonstrances, 
and earnest recommendations of prayer meet- 
ings to his Baptist friends, though at first ap- 
parently ill received, were well taken in the 
end; and he had the happiness to see in them 
some hopeful appearances of a return to God. 
On June the 20th he wrote to his friend, Mr 
Summers, as follows: — 

" My dear Friend, 

" If you mean to abide by my opinion, I say, 
come to Dublin, and come directly! I have 
been most delightfully disappointed. I expect- 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 65 

ed darkness, and behold light $ sorrow, and 
I have had cause for abundant joy. I thank 
God that I came hither, and hope that many 
as well as myself, will have cause to praise 
him. Never have I been more deeply taught 
my own nothingness; never hath the power of 
God more evidently rested upon me. The 
harvest here is great indeed; and the Lord of 
the harvest hath enabled me to labour in it 
with delight. 

4 1 praise him for all that is past, 
I trust him for all that's to come.' 

" The Lord hath of late been doing great 
things for Dublin. Several of the young men 
in the college have been awakened; and two 
of the fellows are sweet evangelical preachers. 
One of them is of a spirit serene as the sum- 
mer evening, and sweet as the breath of May. 
I am already intimate with them, and have 
spent several mornings in college with vari- 
ous students, who bid fair to be faithful watch- 
men on Jerusalem's walls. But I hope you 
will come; and then you will see for yourself. 
If not, 1 will give you some pleasant details 
when we meet in England. S. P." 

Mr. Summers complied with this invitation; 
and of the last seven or eight days of Mr. 
Pearce's continuance at Dublin, he himself 
thus writes: — 

f 2 



66 MEMOIRS OF 

"Monday, July 4. At three in the after- 
noon I went with my friend, Mr. Summers, 

to Mr. K ? s. Spent a very agreeable day, 

Miss A. K— remarked two wonders in 
Dublin: a praying society, composed of stu- 
dents at college, and another of lawyers. The 
family were called together. We sung: I 
read, and expounded the xii. of Isaiah, and 
prayed. At seven we went to a prayer-meet- 
ing at Plunket-street: very large attendance. 

Mr. R and Mr. S prayed, and I 

spoke from Rom. x. 12, 13. ; There is no 
difference between the Jew and the Greek; 
for the same. Lord overall is rich unto all 
who call upon him. For whosoever shall call 
upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. 9 
Many seemed affected. After I had closed, 
I told them some of my own experience, and 
requested, that if any present wished for con- 
versation, they would come to me, either that 
evening, or on Thursday evening in the vestry. 
Five persons came in: — one had been long 
impressed with religion, but could never sum- 
mon courage enough to open her heart be- 
fore. Another, a Miss W , attributed 

her first impression, under God. to my minis- 
try; and told me that her father had regularly 
attended of late, and that her mother was so 
much alarmed as to be almost in despair. 
Poor girl ! she seemed truly in earnest about 
her own soul, and as much concerned for her 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 67 

parents. The next had possessed a serious 
concern for some time, and of late had been 
much revived. One young lady, a Miss 
H , staid in the meeting-house, exceed- 
ingly affected indeed. Mr. K spoke to 

her — She said, she would speak with me on 
Thursday. 

" Tuesday, 5th. Went to Leislip. At seven 
— preached to a large and affected auditory. 

During his labours in Dublin, he was strong- 
ly solicited to settle in a very nattering situa- 
tion in the neighbourhood;* and a very liberal 
salary was offered him. On his positively de- 
clining it, mention was made of only six 
months of the year. When that was declined, 
three months were proposed; and when he 
was about to answer this in the negative, the 
party refused to receive his answer, desiring 
him to take time to consider of it. He did so; 
and though he entertained a very grateful 
sense of the kindness and generosity express- 
ed by the proposal, yet after the maturest de- 
liberation, he thought it his duty to decline it. 
Mr. Pearce's modesty prevented his talking 
on such a subject; but it was known at the 
time by his friend who accompanied him, and 
since his death, has been frequently mention- 
ed as an instance of his disinterested spirit. 

* At the Black Rock, the residence of some of the 
most genteel families in the vicinity of Dublin. 



68 MEMOIRS OF 

His friends at Birmingham were ready to 
think it hard that he should be so willing to 
leave them to go on a mission among the 
heathen^ but they could not well complain, 
and much less think ill of him, when they saw 
that such a willingness was more than could 
be effected by the most flattering prospects 
of a worldly nature, accompanied too with 
promising appearances of religious usefulness-. 

About a month after his return from Dub- 
lin, Mr. Pearce addressed a letter to Mr. 
Carey, in which he gives some farther account 
of Ireland, as well as of some other interest- 
ing matters:— 

Birmingham, Aug, 12, 1796. 
" With pleasure approaching to rapture, I 
read the last accounts you sent us. I never 
expected immediate success: the prospect is 
truly greater than my most sanguine hopes* 
< The kingdom of heaven is like to a little 
leaven hid in three measures of meal, till the 
whole is leavened. 9 Blessed be God! the 
leaven is in the meal, and its influence is al- 
ready discoverable. A great God is doing 
great things by you. Go on, my dearest 
brother, go on; God will do greater things 
than these. ' Jesus is worthy of a world of 
praise: and shall Hindostan not praise him? 
Surely he shall see of the travail of his soul 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 69 

there, and the sower and the reaper shall re- 
joice together. Already the empire of dark- 
ness totters, and soon it shall doubtless fall. 
Blessed be the labourers in this important 
work; and blessed be He who giveth them 
hearts and strength to labour, and promises 
that they shall not labour in vain ! 

" Do not fear the want of money. God is 
for us, and the silver and the gold are his; 
and so are the hearts of those who possess the 
most of it. I will travel from the Land's End 
to the Orkneys but we will get money enough 
for all the demands of the mission. I have 
never had a fear on that head: a little exer- 
tion will do wonders; and past experience 
justifies every confidence. Men, we only 
want; and God shall find them for us in due 
time. 

" As to my public work, I find, whilst en- 
gaged in it, little cause to complain for want 
either of matter or words. My labours are 
acceptable, and not altogether unprofitable to 
the hearers: but what is this to me, if my own 
soul starves whilst others are fed by me ? Oh, 
my brother, I need your prayers, and I feel a 
great satisfaction in the hope that you do not 
forget me. Oh that I may be kept faithful un- 
to death ! Indeed, in the midst of my smug- 
glings, a gleam of hope, that I shall at last 
awake in the likeness of God, affords me great- 
er joy than words can express. To be with 



70 MEMOIRS OF 

Christ, Is far better than to continue sinning 
here: but if the Lord hath any thing to do by 
me, his will be done. 

" I have never so fully opened my case to 
any one before. Your freedom on similar 
topics encourages me to make, my complaint 
to you, and I think if you were near me, I 
should feel great relief in revealing to you all 
my heart, But I shall fatigue you with my 
moanings; so I will have done on this subject. 

6 ' It is not long since I returned from a kind 
of mission to Ireland. . A societ} r is establish- 
ed in Dublin for the purpose of inviting, from 
England, ministers of various denominations? 
to assist in promoting the interests of the king- 
dom of Christ there. Some of our brethren 
had been there before me, as Rippon, Lang- 
don, Francis, and Birt; and I think the plan 
is calculated for usefulness. I have, at Dr. 
Rippon's request, sent him some remarks on 
my visit, for the Register; but as it is proba- 
ble you will receive this before that comes to 
hand, I will say something of my excursion 
here. 

" Having engaged to spend six Lord's days 
in that kingdom, I arrived there the day be- 
fore the first Sabbath in June. I first made 
myself acquainted with the general state of re- 
ligion in Dublin. 

" The inhabitants of Dublin seem to be 
chiefly composed of two classes: the one as- 



THE REV. SAMUEL FEAR2E. 71 

sume the appearance of opulence ; the other 
exhibit marks of the most abject poverty: and 
as there are no parishes in Ireland which pro- 
vide for the poor, many die every year for 
want of the necessaries of life. • 

" Most of the rich are by profession protest- 
ants; the poor are nearly all papists, and 
strongly prejudiced against the reformed re- 
ligion. Their ignorance and superstition are 
scarcely inferior to your miserable Hindoos. 
On midsummer day I had an affecting proof 
of the latter. On the public road, about a 
mile from Dublin, is a well, which was once 
included in the precincts of a priory, dedica- 
ted to St. John of Jerusalem. This well is in 
high repute for curing a number of bodily 
complaints, and its virtues are said to be most 
efficacious on the saint's own day. So from 
twelve o'clock at night, for twenty-four hours, 
it becomes the rendezvous for all the lame, 
blind, and otherwise diseased people, within 
a circuit of twenty miles. Here they brought 
old and young, and applied the ' holy water, ' 
both internally and externally; some by pour- 
ing, some by immersion, and all by drinking: 
whilst, for the good of those who could not 
come in person, their friends filled bottles 
with the efficacious water to use. at home. 
Several I saw on their knees before the well, 
at their devotions, who were not unfrequently 
interrupted with a glass of whiskey. With 



72 MEMOIRS OF 

this they were supplied from a number of 
dealers in that article, who kept standings all 
round the well. 

" Near the spot, was a church -yard, where 
great numbers kneeled upon the tombs of their 
deceased relatives, and appeared earnestly en- 
gaged in praying for the repose of their souls. 

"It was truly a lamentable sight. My 
heart ached at their delusions, w T hilst I felt 
gratitude, I hope unfeigned, for an acquaint- 
ance with the water of life, of which, if a man 
drink, he shall live for ever. 

" There are few, or none, of the middle 
class to connect the rich and the poor; so that 
favourable access to them is far more difficult 
than to the lower orders of the people in Eng- 
land; and their priests hold them in such 
bondage, that if a catholic servant only at- 
tend on family worship in a protestant house, 
penance must be performed for the offence. 

S. P." 

Mention has already been made of his hav- 
ing " formed a pleasing acquaintance with 
several serious young gentlemen of the Uni- 
versity of Dublin. " The following letter was 
addressed to one of them, the Rev. Mr. Mat- 
thias, a few months after his return: — 

" Dear Brother Matthias, 

u I have been employed this whole day in 
writing letters to Dublin; and it is the first 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 73 

day I have been able to redeem for that pur- 
pose. I will not consume a page in apology. 
Let it suffice to say, that necessity, not dis- 
inclination, has detained from my Irish friends, 
those proofs of my gratitude and esteem, which 
in other circumstances I ought to have pre- 
sented three months ago. I thought this 
morning of answering all their demands be- 
fore I slept: but I have written so many sheets, 
and all full, that I find my eyes and my fin- 
gers both fail; and I believe this must close 
my intercourse with Dublin this day. When 
I shall be able to complete my purpose, I do 
not know. To form friendships with good 
men is pleasant; but to maintain all that com- 
munion, which friendship expects, is in some 
cases very difficult. Happy should I be, could 
I meet my Irish friends in person, instead of 
sitting in solitude, and maintaining, by the 
tedious medium of the pen, this distant inter- 
course. But ' The Lord, he shall choose our 
inheritance for us. ' Were all the planets of 
our system embodied, and placed in close as- 
sociation, the light would be greater, and the 
object grander; but then, usefulness and sys- 
tematic beauty consist in their dispersion: and 
what are we, my brother, but so many satell- 
ites to Jesus, the great Sun of the Christian 
system? Some, indeed, like burning Mercu- 
ries,* keep nearer the luminary, and receive 

* The planet Mercury is nearest the Sun. 
G 



74 MEMOIRS OF 

more of its light and heat, whilst others pre- 
serve a greater distance, and reflect a greater 
portion of his light: yet if, amidst all this di- 
versity, they belong to the system, two things 
may be affirmed of all: — all keep true to one 
centre, and borrow whatever light they have 
from one source. True it is, that the further 
they are from the sun, the longer are they in 
performing their revolutions : and is not this 
exemplified in us ? The closer we keep to 
Jesus, the more brilliant are our graces, the 
more cheerful and active are our lives; but 
alas we are all comets; we all move in eccen- 
tric orbits: at one time glowing beneath the 
ray divine, at another freezing and congeal- 
ing the icicles. 6 Oh what a miracle to man 
is man! 9 

" Little did I think when I began this let- 
ter, that I should have thus indulged myself in 
allegory; but true friendship, I believe, always 
dictates extempore; and my friends must 
never expect from me a studied epistle. They 
can meet with better thoughts, than I can 
furnish them with, in any bookseller's shop. 
It is not the dish, however well it may be 
cooked, that gives the relish, but the sweet 
sauce of friendship; and this I think some- 
times makes even nonsense palatable. 

66 But I have some questions to put to you; — 
first, how are all my college friends, Messrs. 
Walker, Maturin, Hamilton, &c? How is 



THE REV. SAMtTEL PEAHCE. 7 3 

their health? But chiefly, how are the inter- 
ests of religion among you ? Are any praying 
students added to your number? Do all those 
you thought well of, continue to justify their 
profession? You know what it is that interests 
me. Pray tell me all, whether it makes me 
weep, or rejoice. 

■ " I hope Mr. H — 5 s ministry was blessed 
in Dublin. Do you know any instances of it? 
We must sow in hope, and I trust that we 
shall all gather fruit to eternal life, even where 
the buddings have never appeared to us in this 
world.* How is it with your own soul? I 
thank God I never, I think, rejoiced habitual- 
ly so much in him as I have done of late. 
6 God is loveS That makes me happy. I 
rejoice that God reigns; that he reigns over 
all; that he reigns over me: over my crosses, 
my comforts, my family, my friends, my 
senses, my mental powers, my designs, my 
words, my preaching, my conduct; that he is 
God over all blessed for ever. I am willing to 
live, yet I long to die, to be freed from all 
error and all sin. I have nothing else to 
trouble me; no other cross to carry. The sun 
shines without, all day long; but I am sensi- 
ble of internal darkness. Well, through grace 
it shall be all light by and by. Yes, you and 

* A sentiment ever to be cherished by Sunday 
School teachers and parents. 



76 MEMOIRS OF 

I shall be angels of light, all Mercuries then^ 
all near the sun; always in motion; always 
arlowing with zeal and flaming with love. Oh 
for the new heavens and the new earth, where- 
in dwelleth righteousness! 

" Will you tell brother M ■ that I wait 

an opportunity to send a parcel to him? In 
that I will enclose a letter. My very affec- 
tionate respects to him, and Mr. H— , with 
all my college friends as though named. If 
you be not weary of such an eccentric corres- 
pondent, pray do not be long ere you write 
to your unworthy, but affectionate brother in 
Christ S. P." 

To the above may be added, a few extracts 
of letters, which he addressed to his friends 
in 1797, and 1798. 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

Marsh, 1797. 
66 During the last three weeks, I have, at 
times, been very poorly, in colds, &c. Am 
better now, and have been all along assisted 
in going through my public duties. Let us 
continue to pray for each other, till death 
makes it a needless service. How uncertain 
is life, and what a blessing is death to a saint! 
I seemed lately to feel a kind of affection for 
death. Methinks if it were visible, I could 
embrace it. ' Welcome herald, that bids the 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 77 

prisoner be free; that announces the dawn of 
everlasting day; that bids the redeemed come 
to Zion with everlasting joy, to be beyond the 
reach of an erroneous judgment, and a de- 
praved heart. To believe, to feel, to speak, 
to act exactly as God will have me; to be 
wholly absorbed and taken up with him; this, 
this, nothing short of this, can make my bliss 
complete. But all this is mine. Oh the 
height, the depth, the length, the breadth of 
Redeeming love! It conquers my heart, and 
constrains me to yield my self a living sacrifice, 
acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ. 

" My dear brother, we have had many hap- 
py meetings upon earth: the best is in reserve. 

1 No heart upon earth can conceive 
The bliss that in heaven they share; 

Then, who this dark world would not leave, 
And cheerfully die to be there !' 

" Oh how full of love, and joy, and praise, 
shall we be when that happy state is ours ! 
Well, vet a little while, and He that shall 
come, will come. Even so come, Lord Jesus I 
— My dear brother, forgive the hasty effusions 
of a heart that loves you in the bowels of Jesus, 
and is always happy in testifying itself to be 
Affectionately yours, S. P." 

g2 



78 MEMOIRS OF 

TO MR. CAVE, 

On the falling away of some who had promisee! fal? 
in religion. 

____1797. 

" I thank you, my dear brother, for the con- 
fidence you repose in me, the affection yon 
have for me, and the freedom with which you 
write to me. Assure yourself that I sincerely 
sympathize in the cutting events which you 
have lately experienced. Trying indeed! 
Your heart must bleed. Yet be not dis- 
couraged in your work. The more Satan 
opposes Christ? the more let us oppose him. 
He comes with great violence because his 
time is short. His kingdom is on the declines 
his strong holds are besieged, and he knows 
they must soon be taken. Whilst it lasts, he 
is making desperate sallies on the armies of 
the Lamb. It is no great wonder that he 
fights and wounds a raw recruit now and then, 
who strays from the camp, and thoughtless of 
the danger, keeps not close by the Captain's 
tent. I hope our glorious Leader will heal 
the wounded, and secure the captive. He is 
sure to make reprisals. Christ will have ten 
to one. You will yet see his arm made brave. 
He shall go forth like a man of war. The 
prisoners shall be redeemed, and the old ty- 
rant shall be cast into the bottomless pit. Be 
of good cheer, my fellow soldier. The cause 
is not ours 5 but God's. Let us endure hard* 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 79 

ness, and still fight the good fight of faith. At 
last we shall come off* conquerors, through 
Him who hath loved us. . 

" I hope you have some causes for joy, as 
well as grief. I trust though one, or two, or 
three fall, the tens, and the twenties stand 
their ground. Oh do what you can to cheer 
them under the common trial. Let them not 
see a faint heart in you. Fight manfully still. 
Tell them to watch the more; to pray the 
harder; to walk the closer with God. So out 
of the eater shall come forth meat, and sweet- 
ness out of the strong. S. P." 

TO MR. BATES AND MRS. BARNES, 

Who had been burnt out of their residence. 

" The many expressions of christian friend- 
ship which 1 received from you, and your af- 
fectionate families, during my last visit to 
London, will often excite grateful recollection 
in future, as they have almost daily since I 
parted from you; and though I do not write 
this avowedly as a mere letter of acknow- 
ledgment, yet I wish to assure you, that I am 
not forgetful of my friends, nor unthankful 
for their kindness. May all the favour you 
show to the servants of our common Lord for 
his sake, be amply recompensed in present 
peace, and future felicity, when the promise 
of Him who cannot lie, shall be fulfilled.—. 



80 MEMOIRS OF 

6 A cup of cold water given to a disciple, in 
the name of a disciple, shall not lose its re- 
ward. ' 

" But, whilst you, my dear friends, live ' in 
hope of the glory' that remains 'to be reveal- 
ed,' I am persuaded that you expect all as the 
fruit of sovereign mercy, which first forms us 
to the mind of Christ, then accepts, and then 
rewards. Truly, if sinners be rewarded, it 
must be, ' of grace, and not of debt. ' Yet it 
is a mercy of unspeakable magnitude, that 
grace should establish a connexion, between 
obedience and enjoyment; such a connexion, 
as at once insures joy to the believer, and 
glory to Christ. 

" Oh that our thoughts, our affections, our 
desires may be much in heaven ! Here, you 
have 'been taught, is 'no continuing city,' no 
certain place of abode; and though you have 
been taught it awfully in flames, yet if you 
learn it effectually, the terror of the means 
will be conquered by the excellency and glory 
of the consequences. Yes, my friends, < in 
heaven we have a better and enduring sub- 
stance:' the apartments there are more spa- 
cious; the society more sweet; the enjoy- 
ments more perfect; and all to last for ever. 
Well may christians ' rejoice in hope of the 
glory of God!' S. P." 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 81 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

November 17, 1797. 

" I feel mucli for you-in relation both to the 
duties and trials of your present situation : at 
the same time I bless God who fixed you in it, 
because I am persuaded that it will be for his 
glory in the churches of Christ. And though 
none but those, whose hands are full of re- 
ligious concerns, can guess at your difficulties! 
yet our blessed Redeemer knows them all. 
Oh, my brother, you are travailing for Him, 
who redeemed you by his blood; who sympa- 
thizes with you, and who will graciously 
crown you at last. Small as my trials are, I 
would turn smith, and work at the anvil and 
the forge, rather than bear them for any other 
master than Christ. Yet were they ten thou- 
sand times as many as they are, the thought 
of their being for him, I trust, would sweeten 
them all. 

" I have reason to be very thankful for much 
pleasure of late, both as a christian and a min- 
ister. I have never felt so deeply my need 
of a Divine Redeemer, and seldom possessed 
such solid confidence that he is mine* I want 
more and more to become a little child, to 
dwindle into nothing in my own esteem, to 
renounce my own wisdom, power and good- 
ness, and simply look to, and live upon Jesus 
for all. I am ashamed that I have so much 
pride, so much self-will. Oh my Saviour! 



82 MEMOIRS OF 

make me 4 meek and lowly in heart; 9 in this 
alone I find ' rest to my soul. ' 

" I could say much of what Immanuel has 
done for my soul; but I fear lest even this 
should savour of vanity. When shall I be 
like my Lord! Oh welcome death, when I 
have nothing more to do for Christ! To him, 
till then, may I live every day and every 
hour! Rather may I be annihilated than not 
live to him! 

H You will rejoice with me to hear that we 
have a pleasing prospect as a church. Several 
very hopeful, and some very valuable charac- 
ters are about to join us. Lord, carry on thy 
work! S. P.'* 

TO MRS. PEARCE, 

On the dangerous illness of one of the children. 
Portsmouth, January 29, 1798. 

" Ignorant of the circumstances of our dear 
child, how shall I address myself to her dearer 
mother! With a fluttering heart, and a trem- 
bling hand, 1, in this uncertainty, resume my 
pen. One consideration tranquillizes my 
mind,— I and mine are in the hands of God: 
the wise, the good, the indulgent Parent of 
mankind! Whatever he does is best. I am 
prepared for all his will, and hope that I shall 
never have a feeling, whose language is not, 
* Thy will be done. ' 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. O'o 

« I am most kindly entertained here by Mr. 
and Mrs. Shoveller: and, except my dear Sa- 
rah's presence, feel myself at home. They 
have had greater trials than we can at present 
know. They have attended seven children 
to the gloomy tomb: they have been support- 
ed beneath their loss, by Him who hath said, 
6 As thy days, so shall thy strength be.' Mrs. 
S. tells me, she ' blessed God for all. ' May 
my dear Sarah be enabled to do the same, 
whatever the result may prove. To-morrow 
I expect another letter from you; yet lest you 
should too much feel my absence, I will not 
delay forwarding this a single post. that it 
may prove in some degree a messenger of con- 
solation! 

« Yesterday I preached three times; God 
was very good. I received your letter before 
the first service: you may be assured that I 
bore you on my heart in the presence of my 
Lord and yours; nor shall I pray in vain. He 
will either restore the child, or support you 
under the loss of it. I dare not pray with 
importunity for any earthly good; for ' who 
knoweth what is good for man in this life, all 
the days of his vain life which he spendeth as 
a shadow? 9 But strength to bear the loss of 
earthly comforts, he has promised: for that I 
importune; and that, I doubt not, will be 
granted. 

66 In a house directly opposite to the win- 



84 MEMOIRS OF 

dow before which I now write, a wife, a mo- 
ther, is just departed. Why *am I not a 
bereaved husband? Why not my children 
motherless? When we compare our condition 
with our wishes, we often complain : but if we 
compare it with that of many around us, our 
complaints would be exchanged for gratitude 
and praise. S. P." 

" THE GARDENER AND ROSE TREE." 

?■ A FABLE." 

" Affectionately addressed to Mrs. J. H. , on the death of her 

child, by her truly sympathizing friend, S. P." 

March 12, 1798. 

" la a sweet spot, which Wisdom chose, 
Grew an unique and lovely Rose; 
A flow'r so fair was seldom borne — 
A Rose almost without a thorn. 
Each passing stranger stopp'd to view 
A plant possessing charms so new : 
" Sweet jP/owjV/" each lip was heard to say — 
Nor less the Owner pleased than they ; 
Reared by his hand with constant care, 
And planted in his choice parterre, 
Of all his garden this the pride, 
No flow'r so much admir'd beside. 

Nor did the Rose unconscious bloom, 
Nor feel ungrateful for the boon ; 
Oft as her guardian came that way, 
Whether at dawn or eve of day, 
Expanded wide— her form unveiPd, 
She double fragrance then exhaPd. 

As months rolled on, the spring appearM, 
Its genial rays the Rose matur'd ; 






THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 85 

Forth from its root a shoot extends — 
The parent Rose-tree downward bends, 
And, with a joy unknown before, 
Contemplates the yet embryo flow'r. 

4 OfFspring most dear (she fondly said,) 
4 Part of myself ! beneath my shade, 
4 Safe shalt thou rise, whilst happy I, 
4 Transported with maternal joy, 
4 Shall see thy little buds appear, 
4 Unfold and bloom in beauty here. 
• 4 What though the Lily, or Jonquil, 
4 Or Hyacinth no longer fill 
4 The space around me — all shall be 
4 Abundantly made up in thee. 

4 What though my present charms decay, 
4 And passing strangers no more say 
4 Of me, 4 Sweet flower V — Yet thou shalt raise 
4 Thy blooming head, and gain the praise ; 
4 And this reverberated pleasure 
4 Shall be to me a world of treasure. 
4 Cheerful I part with former merit, 
4 That it my darling may inherit. 
4 Haste then the hours which bid thee bloom, 
4 And fill the zephyrs with perfume V 

Thus had the Rose-tree scarcely spoken, 
Ere the sweet cup of bliss was broken — 
The Gard'ner came, and with one stroke 
He from the root the offspring took ; 
Took from the soil wherein it grew, 
And hid it from the parent's view. 

Judge ye who know a mother's cares 
For the dear tender babe she bears, 
The parent's anguish — ye alone 
Such sad vicissitudes have known. 

Deep was the wound ; nor slight the pain 
AVhich made the Rose-tree thus complain; — 
H 



86 MEMOIRS OF 

4 Dear little darling ! art thou gone- — 
4 Thy charms scarce to thy mother known ! 
4 Remov'd so soon ! — So suddenly, 
4 Snatch'd from my fond maternal eye! 
1 What hast thou done? — dear offspring! say, 
4 So early to be snatch'd away ! 
4 What ! gone for ever ! — seen no more ! 
4 For ever I thy loss deplore. 
4 Ye dews descend, with tears supply 
4 My now for ever tearful eye ; 
4 Or rather come some northern blast, 
4 Dislodge my yielding roots in haste. 
4 Whirlwinds arise — my branches tear, 
4 And to some distant regions bear 
4 Far from this spot, a wretched mother, 
4 Whose fruit and joys are gone together." 

As thus the anguish'd Rose-tree cry'd, 
Her owner near her she espy'd ; 
Who in these gentle terms reprov'd 
A plant, though murm'ring, still belov'd : — 

4 Cease, beauteous flow'r, these useless cries, 
4 And let my lessons make thee wise. 
4 Art thou not mine ? Did not my hand 
4 Transplant thee from the barren sand, 
4 Where once a mean unsightly plant, 
4 Expos'd to injury and want, 
4 Unknown, and unadmir'd, I found, 
4 And brought thee to this fertile ground ; 
4 With studious art improv'd thy form, 
4 Secur'd thee from the inclement storm, 
4 And through the seasons of the year, 
4 Made thee my unabating care? 
4 Hast thou not blest thy happy lot, 
4 In such an owner — such a spot ? 
4 But now, because thy shoot I've taken, 
4 Thy best of friends must be forsaken. 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 87 

4 Know, flowVbelov'd, e'en this affliction 
4 Shall prove to thee a benediction : 

• Had I not the young plant Temov'd, 
4 (So fondly by thy heart belov'd) 

4 Of me thy heart would scarce have thought, 
4 With gratitude no more be fraught : 
4 — Yea — thy own beauty be at stake 
4 Surrender'd for thy offspring's sake. 
" 4 Nor think, that, hidden from thine eyes, 
4 The infant plant neglected lies — 
4 No — I've another garden, where 
4 In richer soil and purer air 

* It's now transplanted, there to shine, 
4 In beauties fairer far than thine. 

4 Nor shalt thou always be apart 
4 From the dear darling of thy heart ; 
4 For 'tis my purpose thee to bear 
4 In future time, and plant thee there, 
4 Where thy now absent offset grows, 
4 And blossoms a celestial Rose. 
4 Be patient, then, till that set hour shall come, 
4 When thou and thine shall in new beauties bloom. 
4 No more its absence shalt thou then deplore, 
4 Together grow, and ne'er be parted more.' 

These words to silence hush'd the plaintive Rose, 
With deeper blushes redd'ning now she glows, 
Submissive bow'd her unrepining head, 
Again her wonted, grateful fragrance shed — 
Cry'd, 4 Thou hast taken only what's thine own, 
4 Therefore, thy will, my Lord, not mine, be done.' " 



88 MEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER IV. 

An Account of his last Affliction^ and the holy 
and happy Exercises of his Mind under it. 

Early in October, 1798, Mr. Pearce at- 
tended at the Kettering ministers' meeting, 
and preached from Psalm xc. 16, 17. "Let 
thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy 
glory unto their children. And let. the beauty 
of the Lord our God be upon us; and esta- 
blish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, 
the work of our hands establish thou it " He 
was observed to be singularly solemn and af- 
fectionate in that discourse. If he had known 
it to be the last lime that he should address 
his brethren in that part of the country, he 
could scarcely have felt or spoken in a more 
interesting manner. It was a discourse full of 
instruction, full of a holy unction, and that 
seemed to breathe an apostolical ardour. On 
his return, he preached at Market Harborough: 
and riding home the next day in company 
with his friend, Mr. Summers, of London, 
they were overtaken with rain. Mr. Pearce 
was wet through his clothes, and towards 
evening complained of a chillness. A slight 
hoarseness followed. He preached several 
times after this, which brought on an inflam- 
mation, and issued in a consumption. It is 



THE REV, SAMUEL PEARCE. 89 

probable that if his constitution had not been 
previously impaired, such effects might not 
have followed in this instance. His own ideas 
on this subject, are expressed in a letter to 
Dr. Ryland, dated December 4, 1798, and in 
another to Mr. King, dated from Bristol, on 
his way to Plymouth, March 30, 17^9. In 
the former, he says: "Ever since my Christ- 
mas journey last year to Sheepshead, Notting- 
ham, and Leicester, on the mission business, 
I have found my constitution greatly debili- 
tated, in consequence of a cold caught after 
the unusual exertions which circumstances 
then demanded; so that from a frame that 
could endure any weather, I have since been 
too tender to encounter a single shower with- 
out danger; and the duties of the Lord's day, 
which as far as bodily strength went, I could 
perform with little fatigue, have since fre- 
quently overcome me. But the severe cold I 
caught in my return from the last Kettering 
ministers' meeting, has affected me so much, 
that I have sometimes concluded I must give 
up preaching entirely; for though my head and 
spirits are better than for two years past, yet 
my stomach is so very weak, that I cannot 
pray in my family without frequent pauses 
for breath; and in the pulpit it is labour and 
agony, which must be felt to be conceived of. 
I have, however, made shift to preach some- 
times thrice, but mostly only twice on a 
h 2 



90 MEMOIRS OF 

Lord's-day, till the last* when the morning 
sermon only, though I delivered it with great 
pleasure of mind, and with as much caution 
as to my voice as possible, yet cost me so 
much labour as threw me into a fever till the 
next day, and prevented my sleeping all 
night." In the letter he writes thus: " Should 
my life be spared, I and my family, and all my 
connexions will stand indebted, under God, 
to you. Unsuspecting of danger myself, I 
believe I should have gone on with my exer- 
tions, till the grave had received me. Your 
attention sent Mr. B. (the apothecary) to me, 
and then first I learned what I have since 
been increasingly convinced of — that I was 
rapidly destroying the vital principle. And 
the kind interest you have taken in my wel- 
fare ever since, has often drawn the grateful 
tear from my eye. May the God of heaven 
and earth reward your kindness to his unwor- 
thy servant, and save you from all the evils 
from which your distinguished friendship 
would have saved me. " 

Such were his ideas. His labours were cer- 
tainly abundant; perhaps too great for his con- 
stitution: but it is probable that nothing was 
more injurious to his health, than a frequent 
exposure to night air, and an inattention to 
the necessity of changing damp clothes. 

Hitherto we have seen in Mr. Pearce, the 
active, assiduous, and laborious servant of 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 91 

Jesus Christ; but now we see him laid aside 
from his work, wasting away by slow degrees, 
patiently enduring the will of God, and cheer- 
fully waiting for his dissolution. And as here 
is but little to narrate. I shall content myself 
with copying his letters, or extracts from them, 
to his friends, in the order of time in which 
they were written, only now and then drop- 
ping a few hints to furnish the reader with 
the occasions of some of them. 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

Birmingham, October 8, 1798. 

"Oh! my dear brother, your letter of the 
5th which I received this morning, has made 
me thankful for all my pulpit agonies, as they 
enable me to weep with a weeping brother. 
They have been of use to me in other respects; 
particularly, in teaching me the importance 
of attaining and maintaining that spirituality 
and pious ardour, in which I have found the 
most effectual relief; so that, on the whole, I 
must try to 'glory in tribulations also.' I 
trust I often can when the conflict is past; 
but to glory 4 m' them, especially in mental 
distress — this is the difficulty, this is the task. 

"But how often has it been found,. that 
when ministers have felt themselves most em- 
barrassed, the most effectual good has been 
done to the people. Oh for hearts entirely 
resigned to the will of God. 



9£ MEMOIRS OF 

46 How happy should I be, could I alway§ 
enjoy the sympathies of a brother, who is tried 
in these points, as I of late have been. S. P." 

TO MR. FULLER. 

Birmingham, October 29, 1778. 
" I caught a violent cold in returning from 
our last Committee meeting, from which I have 
not yet recovered. A little thing now affects 
my constitution, which I once judged would 
be weather and labour proof for at least thirty 
years, if I lived so long. I thank God that I 
am not debilitated by iniquity. I have lately 
met with an occurrence, which occasioned me 
much pain and perplexity. ***** Trials 
soften our hearts, and make us more fully 
prize the dear few, into whose faithful sympa- 
thizing bosoms we can with confidence pour 
our sorrows. I think I should bless God for 
my afflictions, if they produced no other fruits 
than these, — the tenderness they inspire, and 
the friendships they enjoy. Pray, my dear 
brother, for yours affectionately, S. P." 



?? 



To a young man who had applied to him for advice, how he 
should best improve his time, previous to his going to the Bristol 
Academy. 

Birmingham, November 13, 1793. 
" My dear M , 

" — If instead of an opinion respecting the 
best way of occupying your time before you 
go, you will accept a little counsel during 






THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE* 93 

your continuance there, I shall be happy at 
any time to contribute such a mite as my ex- 
perience and observation have put in my 
power. 

" At present, the following rules appear 
of so much moment, that were I to resume a 
place in any literary establishment, I would 
religiously adopt them as the standard of my 
conduct: — First, I would cultivate a spirit of 
habitual devotion. Warm piety connected 
with my studies, and especially at my entrance 
upon them, would not only assist me in form- 
ing a judgment on their respective importance, 
and secure the blessing of God upon them 5 
but would so cement the religious feeling with 
the literary pursuit, as might abide with me 
for life. The habit of uniting these, being 
once formed, would, I hope, be never lost; 
and I am sure that without this, I shall both 
pursue trivial and unworthy objects, and those 
that are worthy I shall pursue for a wrong 
end. — Secondly, I would determine on a uni- 
form submission to the instructions of my 
preceptor, and study those things which ivould 
give himpleasure. If he be not wiser than I 
am, for what purpose do I come under his 
care ? I accepted the pecuniary help of the 
society on condition of conformity to its will; 
and it is the Society's will that my tutor 
should govern me. My example will have 
influence; let me not, by a single act of dis- 



94 MEMOIRS OF 

obedience, or by a word that implicates dis- 
satisfaction, sow the seeds of discord in the 
bosoms of my companions. — Thirdly, I would 
pray and strive for the power of self-govern- 
ment^ to form no plan, to utter not a word, to 
take no step under the mere influence of pas- 
sion. Let my judgment be often asked, and 
let me always give it time to answer. Let me 
always guard against a light or trifling spirit; 
and particularly as I shall be amongst a num- 
ber of youths, whose years will incline them 
all to the same frailty. — Fourthly, I would in 
all my weekly and daily pursuits observe the 
strictest order. Always let me act by a plan. 
Let every hour have its proper pursuit; from 
which let nothing but a settled conviction that 
I can employ it to better advantage, ever 
cause me to deviate. Let me have fixed time 
for prayer, meditation, reading, languages, 
correspondence, recreation, sleep, &c. — Fifth- 
ly, I would not only assign to every hour Us 
proper pursuit, but what I did, I would try to 
do it with all my might. The hours at such 
a place are precious beyond conception, till 
the student enters on life's busy scenes. Let 
me set the best of my class ever before me, 
and strive to be better than they. In humility 
and diligence, let me aim to be the first. — . 
Sixthly, / would particularly avoid a versatile 
habit. Without this, I may be a gaudy but- 
terfly, but never, like the bee, will my hive 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 95 

bear examining. Whatever I take in hand, 
let me first be sure I understand it, then duly 
consider it, and if it be good, let me adopt 
and use it. 

" To these, my dear brother, let me add 
three or four things more minute, but which I 
am persuaded will help you much — Guard 
against a large acquaintance while you are a 
student Bristol friendship, while you sustain 
that character, will prove a vile thief, and rob 
you of many an invaluable hour. — Get two or 
three of the students, whose piety you most ap- 
prove, to meet for one hour in a week for ex- 
perimental conversation, and mutual prayer. 
I found this highly beneficial, though strange 
to tell, by some we were persecuted for our 
practice \—Keep a diary. Once a week, at 
farthest, call yourself to an account: What 
advances you have made in your studies ; in 
divinity, history, languages, natural philoso- 
phy, style, arrangement; and amidst all, do 
not forget to inquire — Am I more fit to serve 
and to enjoy God than I was last week ? 

S. P." 

"On December 2, 1798, he delivered his 
last sermon. The subject was taken from 
Dan. x. 19. ; Oh man, greatly beloved, fear not, 
peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. 
And when he had spoken unto me, I was 
strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; 



96 MEMOIRS OF 

for thou hast strengthened me. 5 — — ; Amongst 
all the Old Testament saints, 5 said he, in his 
introduction to that discourse, ' there is not 
one whose virtues were more, and whose im- 
perfections were fewer, than those of Daniel. 
By the history given of him in this book, 
which yet seems not to be complete, he ap- 
pears to have excelled among the excellent. 5 
Doubtless no one was farther from his thoughts 
than himself; several of his friends, however, 
could not help applying it to him, and that 
with a painful apprehension of what followed 
soon after. 

TO MR. CAVE, LEICESTER. 

Birmingham, December 4, 1798. 

" Blessed be God, my mind is calm; 

and though my body be weakness itself, my 
spirits are good, and I can write as well as 
ever, though I can hardly speak two sentences 
without a pause. All is well, brother! all is 
well, for time and eternity. My soul rejoices 
in the everlasting covenant, ordered in all 
things and sure. Peace from our dear Lord 
Jesus be with your spirit, as it is (yea, more 
also) with your affectionate brother, S. P. " 

Birmingham, Dec. 10, 1798. 
" I am now quite laid by from preaching, 
and am so reduced in my internal strength, 
that I can hardly converse with a friend for 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 97 

live minutes without losing my breath. In- 
deed I have been so ill, that I thought the next 
ascent would be, not to a pulpit, but to a 
throne— to the throne of glory. Yes, indeed, 
my friend, the religion of Jesus will support 
when flesh and heart fail: and in my worst 
state of body, my soul was filled with joy, I 
am now getting a little better, though but 
very slowly. But fast or slow, or as it may, 
the Lord doth all things well. S. P." 

st J i mve overdone myself in preaching. 

I am now ordered to lie by, and not even to 
converse without great care; nor indeed, till 
to-day, have I for some time been able to utter 
a sentence, without a painful effort. Blessed 
be God ! I have been filled all through my af- 
fliction with peace and joy in believing; and 
at one time, when 1 thought I was entering the 
valley of death, the prospect beyond was so 
full of glory, that but for the sorrow it would 
have occasioned to some who would be left 
behind, I should have longed that moment to 
have mounted to the skies. Oh, my friend, 
what a mercy that I am not receiving the 
wages of sin; that my health has not been 
impaired by vice; but that, on the contrary, I 
am bearing in my body the marks of the Lord 
Jesus. To him be all the praise ! Truly I 
have proved that God is faithful: and most 
cheerfully would I take double the affliction 



98 MEMOIRS OF 

for one half of the joy and sweetness which 
have attended it. Accept a sermon which is 
this day published.* S. P." 



?? 



TO MR. BATES AND MRS. BARNES, MINORIES. 

Birmingham^ Dec. 14, 1798. 

" 1 could tell you much of the Lord's 

goodness during my affliction. Truly ' his 
right hand hath been under my head, and his 
left embraced me. 9 And when I was at the 
worst, especially, and expected ere long to 
have done with time, even then, such holy joy, 
such ineffable sweetness filled my soul, that I 
would not have exchanged that situation for 
any besides heaven itself. 

64 Oh, my dear friends, let us live to Christ, 
and lay ourselves wholly out for him whilst 
we live ; and then, when health and life for- 
sake us, he will be the strength of our heart, 
and our portion for ever. S. P. " 

About this time, the congregation at Can- 
non-street was supplied for several months by 
Mr. Ward, who is since gone as a missionary 
to India: here that amiable man became inti- 
mately acquainted with Mr. Pearce, and con- 
ceived a most affectionate esteem for him. In 

* The last but one he ever preached, entitled Mo- 
tives to Gratitude. It was delivered on the day of 
national thanksgiving, and printed at the request of 
his own congregation. 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 99 

a letter to a friend, dated January 5, 1799, 
he writes as follows: — 

" I am happy in the company of dear bro- 
ther Pearce. I have seen more of God in 
him, than in any other person I ever knew. 
Oh how happy should I be to live and die 
with him! When well, he preaches three 
times on a Lord's day, and two or three 
times in the week besides. He instructs the 
young people in the principles of religion, 
natural philosophy, astronomy, &c. They have 
a Benevolent Society, from the funds of which 
they distribute forty or fifty pounds a year 
(177 to 222 dollars) to the poor of the congre- 
gation. They have a Sick Society for visiting 
the afflicted in general: a Book Society at 
chapel: a LoroVs-day School, at which betwixt 
two and three hundred children are instruct- 
ed. Add to this, missionary business, visiting 
the people, an extensive correspondence, two 
volumes of mission history preparing for the 
press, &c, and then you will see something 
of the soul of Pearce. He is every where 
venerated, though but a young man; and all 
the kind, tender, gentle affections, make him 
as a little child at the feet of his Saviour. 

W. W." 

In February, he rode to the opening of a 
Baptist meeting-house at Bed worth; but did 



a.tf< 



100 MEMOIRS OF 

not engage in any of the services. Here 
several of his brethren saw him for the last 
time. Soon afterwards, writing to the com- 
piler of these Memoirs, he says, — " The 
Lord's -day after I came home, I tried to 
speak a little after sermon. It inflamed my 
lungs afresh, and produced phlegm, coughing, 
and spitting of blood. Perhaps I may never 
preach more. Well, the Lord's will be done. 
I thank him that ever he took me into his ser- 
vice; and now, if he see fit to give me a dis- 
charge, I submit." 

During the above meeting, a word was drop- 
ped by one of his brethren which he took as a 
reflection, though nothing was farther from 
the intention of the speaker. It wrought 
upon his mind, and in a few days after, he 
wrote as follows:—- 64 Do you remember what 
passed at B. ? Had I not been accustomed to 
receive plain, friendly remarks from you, I 
should have thought that you meant to in- 
sinuate a reproof. If you did, tell me plainly. 
If you did not, it is all at an end. You will 
not take my naming it unkind, although I 
should be mistaken, since affectionate expla- 
nations are necessary? when suspicions arise, 
to the preservation of friendship; and I need 
not say that I hold the preservation of your 
friendship in no small account." 

The above is copied, not only to set forth 
the spirit and conduct of Mr. Pearce in a case 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 101 

wherein he felt himself aggrieved, but to show 
in how easy and amiable a manner thousands 
of mistakes might be rectified, and differences 
prevented, by a frank and timely explanation. 

TO MR. FULLER. 

March 23, 1799. 
He was now setting out for Plymouth; and 
after observing the great danger he was sup- 
posed to be in, with respect to a consumption, 
he adds: — "But thanks be to God, who giveth 
my heart the victory, let my poor body be con- 
sumed, or preserved. In the thought of leav- 
ing, I feel a momentary gloom; but in the 
thought of going, a heavenly triumph. 

4 Oh to grace how great a debtor !' 

" Praise God with me, and for me, my dear 
brother, and let us not mind dying any more 
than sleeping. No, no! let every Christian 
sing the loudest, as he gets the nearest to the 
presence of his God. Eternally yours in Him, 
who hath washed us both in his blood. S. P. " 

TO MR. MEDLEY, LONDON. 

Under the same date, he says, — "My af- 
fliction has been rendered sweet, by the sup- 
ports and smiles of Him whom I have served 
in the gospel of his Son. He hath delivered, 
he doth deliver, and I trust that he will yet 
i2 



102 MEMOIRS G*' 

deliver. Living or dying, all is well for ever* 
Oh what shall I render to the Lord!" 

It seems, that in order to avoid wounding 
Mrs. Pearce's feelings, he deferred the settle- 
ment of his affairs till he arrived at Bristol; 
from whence he wrote to his friend, Mr. King, 
requesting him to become an executor. Re- 
ceiving a favourable answer, he replied as 
follows ; — 

Bristol, April 6, 1799. 
"Your letter, just received, affected me 
too much, with feelings both of sympathy and 
gratitude, to remain unanswered a single post. 
Most heartily do I thank you for accepting a 
service, which friendship alone can render 
agreeable in the most simple cases. Should 
that service demand your activities at an 
early period, may no unforeseen occurrence 
increase the necessary care ! But may the 
Father of the fatherless, and Judge of the 
widows, send you a recompense into your 
own bosom, equal to all that friendship, to 
which, under God, I have been so much in- 
debted in life, and reposing on whose bosom, 
even death itself loses part of its gloom. In 
you, my children will find another father — in 
you, my wife another husband. Your ten- 
derness will sympathize with the one, under 
the most distressing sensibilities; and your 



THE KEY. SAMUEL FEARCE. 103 

prudent counsels be a guide to the others, 
through the unknown mazes of inexperienced 
youth. Enough — blessed God! My soul 
prostrates, and adores thee for such a friend. 

S. P." 

TO MR. FULLER. 

Plymouth, April 18, 1799. 
44 The last time that I wrote to you was at 
the close of a letter sent to you by brother 
Ryland. I did not like that .postscript form; 
it looked so card-like as to make me fear that 
you would deem it unbrotherly. After all, 
perhaps you thought nothing about it; and my 
anxieties might arise only from my weakness, 
which seems to be constantly increasing my 
sensibilities, If ever I felt love in its tender- 
ness for my friends, it has been since my 
affliction. This, in great measure, is no more 
than the love of ' publicans and harlots, who 
love those that love them.' I never conceived 
myself by a hundred degrees so interested in 
the regards of my friends, as this season of 
affliction has manifested I was; and therefore, 
so far from claiming any * reward' for loving 
them in return, I should account myself a 
monster of ingratitude, were it otherwise. 
Yet there is something in affliction itself, 
which, by increasing the delicacy of our feel- 
ings, and detaching our thoughts from the 
usual round of objects which present them- 



104 MEMOIRS OF 

selves to the mind when in a state of health, 
maybe easily conceived to make us susceptible 
of stronger, and more permanent impressions 
of an affectionate nature. 

"I heard at Bristol, that you and your 
friends had remembered me in your prayers? 
at Kettering. Whether the Lord whom we 
serve may see fit to answer your petitions on 
my account or not, may they at least be re- 
turned into your own bosoms. 

U For the sake of others? I should be happy 
could I assure you that my health was im- 
proving. As to myself, I thank God that I 
am not without a desire to depart, and to be 
with Christ, which is far better. I find that 
neither in sickness, nor in health, I can be so 
much as I wish like him whom I love. ' To 
die is gain:' Oh to gain that state, those feel- 
ings, that character, which perfectly accord 
with the mind of Christ? and are attended 
with the full persuasion of his complete and 
everlasting approbation! I want no heaven 
but this; and to gain this, most gladly would 
I this moment expire. But if to abide in the 
flesh be more needful for an individual of my 
fellow-men, — Lord, let thy will be done? 
only let Christ be magnified by me, whether 
in life or death. 

" The weather has been so wet and windy 
since I have been at Plymouth, that I could 
not reasonably expect to be much better; and 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 105 

I cannot say that I am much worse. All the 
future is uncertain. Professional men en- 
courage me; but frequent returns appear, and 
occasional discharges of blood check my ex- 
pectations. If I speak but for two minutes, 
my breast feels as sore as though it were 
scraped with a rough-edged razor; so that I 
am mute all the day long, and have actually 
'earned to converse with my sister by means 
of our fingers. 

" I thank you for yours of April 4th, which 
I did not receive till the 12th, the day that I 
arrived at Plymouth. On the 16th, a copy 
of yours to brother Ryland came to hand, to 
which I should have replied yesterday, but 
had not leisure. I am happy and thankful 
for your success. May the Lord himself pilot 
the Criterion safely to Calcutta river! 

" Unless the Lord work a miracle for me, I 
am sure that I shall not be able to attend the 
Olney meeting. It is to my feelings a severe 
anticipation; but how can I be a Christian, 
and not submit to God? S. P." 

TO MR. W. WARD. 

Plymouth, April 22, 1799. 
"Most affectionately do I thank you for 
your letter, so full of information, and of 
friendship. To our common Friend, who is 
gone into heaven, where he ever sitteth at the 
right hand of God for us, I commend you. 



106 MEMOIRS OF 

Whether I die, or live, God will take care of 
you till he has ripened you for the common 
salvation. Then shall I meet my dear bro- 
ther Ward againj and who can tell how much 
more interesting our intercourse in heaven 
will be made by the scenes that most distress 
our poor spirits here. Oh, had I none to live 
for, I had rather die than live, that I may be 
at once like Him whom I love. But while he 
insures me grace — why should I regret the 
delay of glory? No: I will wait his will, who 
performeth all things for me. 

" My dear brother, had I strength, I should 
rejoice to acquaint you with the wrestlings 
and the victories, the hopes and the fears, the 
pleasures and the pangs, which I have lately 
experienced. But I must forbear. All I can 
now say is, that God hath done me much 
good by all, and made me very thankful for 
all he has done. Alas! I shall see you no 
more. I cannot be at Olney on the 7th of 
May. The journey would be my death; but 
the Lord whom you serve will be with you 
then, and for ever. My love to all the dear 
assembled saints, who will give you their 
benedictions at that solemn season. 

" Ever yours, S. P*" 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEAHCE. 107 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

Plymouth, April 24, 1799. 
w Very dear Brother, 

"My health is in much the same state as 
when 1 wrote last, excepting that my muscu- 
lar strength rather increases, and my powers 
of speaking seem less and less every week. I 
have, for the most part, spoken only in whis- 
pers for several days past; and even these 
seem too much for my irritable lungs. My 
father asked me a question to-day; he did not 
understand me when I whispered; so I was 
obliged to utter one word, and one word only, 
a little louder, and that brought on a soreness, 
which I expect to feel till bed-time. 

"I am still looking out for fine weather: all 
here is cold and rainy. We have had but two 
or three fair and warm days since I have been 
here; then I felt better. I am perfectly at a 
loss even to guess what the Lord means to do 
with me; but I desire to commit my ways to 
him, and be at peace. I am going to-day 
about five miles into the country (to Tamer- 
ton,) where I shall await the will of God con- 
cerning me. 

" I knew not of any Committee -meeting of 
our Society to be held respecting Mr. Marsh- 
man and his wife. I have therefore sent no 
vote, and indeed it is my happiness that I 
have full confidence in my brethren, at this 
important crisis, since close thinking or much 



108 MEMOIRS OF 

writing always increases my fever, and pro- 
motes my complaint. 

" My dear brother, I hope you will corres- 
pond much with Kettering. I used to be a 
medium, but God has put me out of the way. 
I could weep that I can serve him no more: 
and yet I fear some would be tears of pride. 
Oh for perfect likeness to mv humble Lord 1 

S. P." 

The reader has seen how much he regretted 
being absent from the solemn designations of 
the missionaries at Olney. He however ad- 
dressed the following lines to Mr. Fuller, 
which were read at the close of that meeting, 
to the dissolving, of nearly the whole assembly x 
in tears: — 

Tamerlon, May 2, 1799. 

"- Oh that the Lord, who is unconfined 

by place or condition, may copiously pour out 
upon you all the rich effusions of his Holy 
Spirit on the approaching day! My most 
hearty love to each missionary, who may then 
encircle the throne of grace. Happy men! 
happy women! you are going to be fellow-la- 
bourers with Christ himself ! I congratulate— 
I almost envy you; yet I love you, and 
can scarcely now forbear dropping a tear of 
love as each of your names passes across my 
mind. Oh what promises are yours; and what 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 109 

reward! Surely heaven is filled with double 
joy, and resounds with unusual acclamations 
at the arrival of each missionary there. Oh 
be faithful, my dear brethren, my dear sisters, 
be faithful unto death, and all this joy is 
yours ! Long as I live, my imagination will 
be hovering over you in Bengal; and should I 
die, if separate spirits be allowed a visit to the 
world they have left, methinks mine would 
soon be at Mudnabatty, watching your labours, 
your conflicts, and your pleasures, whilst you 
are always abounding in the work of the 
Lord. S. P." 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

" My dear Brother, Plymouth, May 14, 1799. 

' * Yours of the 11th instant I have just re- 
ceived, and thank you for your continued con- 
cern for your poor unworthy brother. 

" I have suffered much in my health since I 
wrote to you last, by the increase of my fever- 
ish complaint, which filled me with heat and 
horror all night, and in the day sometimes al- 
most suffocated me with the violence of its 
paroxysms. I am extremely weak, and now, 
that warm weather which I came into Devon 
to seek, I dread as much as the cold, because 
it excites the fever. I am happy, however, in 
the Lord. I have not a wish to live or die, 
but as he pleases. I truly enjoy the gospel of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, and would not be with- 



110 MEMOIRS OF 

out his divine atonement, wherein to rest my 
soul, for ten thousand worlds. I feel quite 
weaned from earth, and all things in it. Death 
hath lost his sting, the grave its horrors; and 
the attractions of heaven, I had almost said, 
are sometimes violent. 

4 Oh to grace bow great a debtor!' 
66 But I am wearied. May ail grace abound 
towards my dear brother, and his affectionate 

S. P." 

TO THE CHURCH IN CANNON-STREET. 

Plymouth; May 31, 1799. 
" To the dear people of my charge, the 
flock of Christ, assembling in Cannon-street, 
Birmingham — their afflicted but affectionate 
Pastor presents his love in Christ Jesus,* the 
great Shepherd of the sheep. 

" My dearest, dearest Friends and Brethren, 

" Separated as I have been a long time from 
you, and during that time of separation, hav- 
ing suffered much both in body and mind, yet 
my heart has still been with you, participating 
in your sorrows, uniting in your prayers, and 
rejoicing with you in the hope of that glory, 
to which divine faithfulness has engaged to 
bring us, and for which our heavenly Father, 
by all his providences, and by every operation 
of his Holy Spirit, is daily preparing us. 
" Never, my dear brethren, did I so much 



THE IlEY. SAMUEL PEARCE, 111 

rejoice in our being made • ' partakers of the 
heavenly calling, 5 as during my late afflictions. 

The sweet thoughts of glory, where I shall 
meet my dear Lord Jesus, with all his re- 
deemed ones, perfectly freed from all that sin 
which now burdens us, and makes us groan 
from day to day, — this transports my soul, 
whilst out of weakness I am made strong, and 
at times am enabled to glory even in my 
bodily infirmities, that the power of Christ, in 
supporting when flesh and heart fail, may the 
more evidently rest upon me. Oh, my dear 
brethren and sisters! let me, as one alive al- 
most from the dead, let me exhort you to 
stand fast in that blessed gospel, which for 
ten years I have now preached among you: — 
the gospel of the grace of God; the gospel of 
free, full, everlasting salvation, founded on 
the sufferings and death of God, manifest in 
the flesh. Look much at this all -amazing 
scene! 

6 Behold ! a God descends and dies, 
To save my soul from gaping hell ;' 

And then say whether any poor broken-heart- 
ed sinner need be afraid to venture his hopes 
of salvation on such a sacrifice; especially, 
since He who is thus ' mighty to save,' hath 
said, that ' whosoever cometh to him he mil 
in no wise cast out.' You, beloved, who have 
found the peace-speaking virtue of this blood 



112 MEMOIRS OF 

of atonement, must not be satisfied with what 
you have already known or enjoyed,- — The 
only way to be constantly happy and con- 
stantly prepared for the most awful changes? 
which we must all experience, is to be con- 
stantly looking and coming to a dying Sa- 
viour 5 renouncing all our own worthiness | 
cleaving to the loving Jesus as our ail in all; 
giving up every thing, however valuable to our 
worldly interests, that clashes with our fideli- 
ty to Christ; begging that of his fulness we 
may receive ' grace upon grace,' whilst our 
faith actually relies on his power and faithful- 
ness, for the full accomplishment of every 
promise in his word that we plead with him, 
and guarding against every thing that might 
for a moment bring distance and darkness be- 
tween your souls, and your precious Lord. 
If you thus live, (and oh that you may daily 
receive fresh life from Christ so to do I) ' the 
peace of God will keep your hearts and minds, 5 
and you will be filled with 6 joy unspeakable 
and full of glory. ? 

" As a Church, you cannot conceive what 
pleasure I have enjoyed in hearing that you 
are in peace; that you attend prayer-meetings | 
that you seem to be stirred up of late for the 
honour and prosperity of religion. Go on in 
these good ways, my beloved friends, and as- 
suredly the God of peace will be with you. 
Yea, if after all I should be taken entirely 



THE REV. SAMUEL FEARCE. 113 

irom you, jet God will surely visit you, and 
never leave you, nor forsake you. 

66 As to my health, I seem on the whole to 
be still mending, though but very slowly. 
The fever troubles me often both by day and 
night; but my strength increases. I long to 
see your faces in the flesh; yea, when I thought 
myself near the gates of the grave, I wished, 
if it were the Lord's will, to depart among 
those whom I so much loved. But I am in 
good hands, and all must be right. 

" I thank both you and the congregation 
most affectionately, for all the kindness you 
have shown respecting me and my family, 
during my absence. The Lord return it a 
thousand fold! My love to every one, both 
old and young, rich and poor, as though named. 
The Lord bless to your edification the occa- 
sional ministry which you enjoy. I hope you 
regularly attend upon it, and keep together, 
as ' the horses in Pharaoh's chariot. ' I pray 
much for you : pray, still pray for your very 
affectionate, though unworthy, pastor. 

S. P.' 9 
In a postscript to Mr. King, he says, " I 
have made an effort to write this letter; my 
affections would take no denial; but it has 
brought on the fever." 

It seems to have been about this time that 
he wrote the following lines, which have ap- 

k 2 



114 MEMOIRS OF 

peared in several periodical publications* but 
with many inaccuracies: — 

HYMN IN A STORM, 

" In the floods of tribulation, 

While the billows o'er me roll, 
Jesus whispers consolation, 

And supports my fainting soul : 
Thus the lion yields me honey, 

From the eater food is given ; 
Strengthen'd thus, I still press forward, 

Singing as I wade to heaven, — 
Sweet affliction ! sweet affliction, 

That brings Jesus to my soul I 

f Mid the gloom the vivid lightnings 

With increased brightness play ; 
'Mid the thornbrake, beauteous fiow'rets 

Look more beautiful and gay ; 
So, in darkest dispensations, 

Doth my faithful Lord appear, 
With his richest consolations, 

To re-animate and cheer. 
Sweet affliction I sweet affliction, 

Thus to bring my Saviour near ! 

Floods of tribulation heighten, 

Billows still around me roar ; 
Those that know not Christ — ye frighten* 

But my soul defies your pow'r. 
In the sacred page recorded, 

Thus his word securely stands, — 
•Fear not, I'm in trouble near thee, 

Nought shall pluck thee from my hands. 
Sweet affliction ! sweet affliction, 

That to such sweet words lay claim ! 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 115 

All I meet I find assists me 

In my path to heav'nly joy, 
Where, though trials now attend me, 

Trials never more annoy : 
Wearing there a weight of glory, 

Still the path I'll ne'er forget ; 
But, reflecting how it led me 

To my blessed Saviour's seat, 
Cry, ' Affliction ! sweet affliction ! 

Haste ! bring more to Jesus' feet !' " 

Towards the latter end of May, when Mr. 
Ward, and his companions, were just ready 
to set sail, a consultation concerning Mr* 
Pearce was held on board the Criterion, in 
which all the missionaries, and some of the 
members of the Baptist Missionary Society 
were present. It was well known that he 
had for several years been engaged in pre- 
paring materials for a History of Missions, 
to be comprised in two volumes octavo: and 
as the sending of the gospel among the hea- 
thens had so deeply occupied his heart, con- 
siderable expectations had been formed by re- 
ligious people, of his producing an interesting 
work on the subject. The question now was, 
could not this performance be finished by 
other hands, and the profits of it be appro- 

? Hated to the benefit of Mr. Pearce's family? 
t was admitted by all, that this work would, 
partly from its own merits and partly from 
the great interest which the author justly 



116 MEMOIRS OF 

possessed in the public esteem, be very pro- 
ductive^ and that it would be a delicate and 
proper method of enabling the religious pub- 
lic, by subscribing liberally to it, to afford 
substantial assistance to the family of this ex- 
cellent man. The result was, that one of the 
members of the Society addressed a letter to 
Mr. Pearce's relations, at Plymouth, request- 
ing them to consult him as he should be able 
to bear it, respecting the state of his manu- 
scripts; and to inquire whether they were in 
a condition to admit of being finished by ano- 
ther hand; desiring them also to assure him, 
for his present relief concerning his dear 
family, that whatever the hand of friendship 
could effect on their behalf, should be accom- 
plished. The answer, though it left no man- 
ner of hope as to the accomplishment of the 
object, yet is so expressive of the reigning 
dispositions of the writer's heart, as an affec- 
tionate husband, a tender • father, a grateful 
friend, and a sincere Christian; that it cannot 
be uninteresting to the reader: — 

Tamerton, June 24, 1799. 
" To use the common introduction of ' dear 
brother,' would fall so far short of my feelings 
towards a friend, whose uniform conduct has 
ever laid so great a claim to my affection and 
gratitude; but whose recent kindness, — kind- 
ness in adversity, — kindness to my wife, — 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 117 

kindness to my children — kindness that would 
go far to ' smooth the bed of death,' has over- 
whelmed my whole soul in tender thank- 
fulness, and engaged my everlasting esteem. 

I know not how to begin. ' Thought is 

poor, and poor expression.' The only thing 
that lay heavy on my heart, when in the 
nearest prospect of eternity, was the future 
situation of my family. I had but a compara- 
tively small portion to leave behind me, and 
yet that little was the all that an amiable wo- 
man, delicately brought up, and, through 
mercy, for the most part comfortably pro- 
vided for since she entered on domestic life, 
— with five babes to feed,, clothe, and edu- 
cate, had to subsist on. Ah, what a pros- 
pect! Hard and long I strove to realize the 
promises made to the widows and the father- 
less; but these alone I could not fully rest on 
and enjoy. For my own part, God was indeed 
very gracious. I was willing, I hope, to linger 
in suffering, if I might thereby most glorify 
him, and death was an angel whom I longed 
to come and embrace me, 'cold' as his em- 
braces are. But how could I leave those who 
were dearest to my heart in the midst of a 
world, in which, although thousands now pro- 
fessed friendship for me, and, on my account, 
for mine; yet after my decease, would, with 
few exceptions, soon forget my widow and my 
children among the crowds of the needy and 



118 MEMOIftS OF 

distressed.- — It was at this moment of painful 
sensibility that your heart meditated a plan to 
remove my anxieties $ — a plan too that would 
involve much personal labour before it could 
be accomplished. ' Blessed be God, who put 
it into thy heart, and blessed be thou. ' May 
the blessing of the widow and the fatherless 
rest on you and yours for ever. Amen, and 
amen! 

" You will regret perhaps that I have taken 
up so much room respecting yourself, but I 
have scarcely gratified the shadow of my 
wishes. Excuse then on the one hand, that I 
have said so much, and accept on the other, 
what remains une.xpressed. 

" My affections and desires are among my 
dear people at Birmingham; and unless I find 
my strength increase here, I purpose to set out 
for that place in the course of a fortnight, or 
at most a month. The journey, performed by 
short stages may do me good: if not, I expect 
when the winter comes to sleep in peace: and 
it will delight my soul to see them once more 
before I die. Besides, I have many little ar- 
rangements to make among my books and pa- 
pers, to prevent confusion after my decease. 
Indeed, till I get home, I cannot fully answer 
your kind letter; but I fear that my materials 
consist so much in references, which none but 
myself would understand, that a second per- 
son could not take it up, and prosecute it. I 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 119 

am still equally indebted to you for a proposal 
so generous, so laborious. 

" Rejoice with me that the blessed gospel 
still ' bears my spirits up.' I am become 
familiar with the thoughts of dying. I have 
taken my leave often with the world; and 
thanks be to God, I do it always with tran- 
quillity, and often with rapture. Oh, what 
grace, what grace it was, that ever called me 
to be a christian ! What would have been my 
present feelings, if I were going to meet my 
God with all the filth and load of my sin 
about me! But God in my nature hath put 
my sin away, taught me to love him, and long 
for his appearing. Oh, my dear brother, how 
constant is everlasting praise with such a 
great salvation !. S. P. 



?> 



After this, another letter was addressed to 
Mr. Pearce, informing him more particularly 
that the above proposal did not originate with 
an individual, but with several of the brethren 
who dearly loved him, and had consulted on 
the business; and that it was no more than an 
act of justice to one who had spent his life in 
serving the public; also requesting him to 
give directions by which his manuscripts might 
be found and examined, lest he should be taken 
away before his arrival at Birmingham. To 
this he answered as follows:— 



120 MEMOIRS OF 

Plymouth, July 6, 1799. 

" I need not repeat the growing sense I have 
of your kindness, and yet I know not how to 
forbear. 

" I cannot direct Mr. K to all my pa- 
pers, as many of them are in books from which 
I was making extracts; and if I could, I am 
persuaded that they are in a state too confused, 
incorrect, and unfinished, to suffer you or any 
other friend to realize your kind intentions. 

" I have possessed a tenacious memory. I 
have begun one part of the history; read the 
necessary books; reflected; arranged; written, 
perhaps, the introduction; and then, tru sting- 
to my recoiled ion, with the revisal of the 
books as I should want them, have employed 
myself in getting materials for another part, 
&c. Thus, till my illness, the volumes exist- 
ed in my head, — my books were at hand, and 
I was on the eve of writing them out, when it 
pleased God to make me pause: and, as close 
thinking has been strongly forbidden me, I 
dare say, that were I again restored to health, 
I should find it necessary to go over much of 
my former reading to refresh my memory. 

" It is now Saturday. On Monday next we 
propose setting out on our return. May the 
Lord prosper our way! Accept the sincere 
affection, and the ten thousand thanks, of your 
brother in the Lord, S. P." 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 121 

As the manuscripts were found to be in such 
a state, that no person, except the author him- 
self, couid finish them, the design was neces- 
sarily dropped. The public mind, however, 
was deeply impressed with Mr. Pearce's 
worth, and that, which the friendship of a few 
could not effect, has since been amply accom- 
plished by the liberal exertions of many. 

TO MR. BIRT. 

Birmingham, July 26, 1799, 
" It is not with common feelings that I be- 
gin a letter to you. Your name brings so many 
interesting circumstances of my life before 
me, in which your friendship has been so uni- 
formly and eminently displayed, that now, 
amidst the imbecilities of sickness, and the 
serious prospect of another world, my heart is 
overwhelmed with gratitude, whilst it glows 
with affection, — an affection which eternity 
shall not annihilate, but improve. 

" We reached Bristol on the Friday after 
we parted from you, having suited our pro- 
gress to my strength and spirits. We staid 
with Bristol friends, till Monday, when we 
pursued our journey, and went comfortably 
on, till the uncommonly rough road from 
Tewkesbury to Evesham quite jaded me; and 
I have not yet recovered from the excessive 
fatigue of that miserable ride. At Alcester 
we rested a day and a half, and, through the 

L 



122 MEMOIRS OF 

abundant goodness of God, we safely arrived 
at Birmingham on Friday evening, the 19th 
of July. 

" I feel an undisturbed tranquillity of soul, 
and am cheerfully waiting the will of God. 
My voice is gone, so that I cannot whisper 
without pain; and of this circumstance I am 
at times most ready to complain. For, to see 
my dear and amiable Sarah look at me, and 
then at the children, and at length bathe her 
face in tears, without my being able to say 

one word of comfort, — Oh! ! Yet the 

Lord supports me under this also; and I trust 
will support me to the end. S. P." 



?? 



TO MR. ROCK. 

July 28, 1799. 

" 1 am now to all appearance within a 

few steps of eternity. In Christ I am safe. In 
him I am happy. I trust we shall meet in 
heaven. S. P." 

TO R. BOWYER, ESQ. 

Birmingham, August, 1, 1799. 

"Much disappointed that 1 am not re- 
leased from this world of sin, and put in pos- 
session of the pleasures enjoyed by the spirits 
of just men made perfect, I once more address 
my dear fellow heirs of that glory which ere 
long shall be revealed to us all. 

" We returned from Devon last Friday 



"THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 123 

week. I was exceedingly weak, and for 
several days afterwards got rapidly worse. 
My friends compelled me to try another 
physician. I am still told that I shall recover. 
Be that as it may, I wish to have my own will 
annihilated, that the will of the Lord may be 
done. Through his abundant grace, I have 
been, and still am happy in my soul; and I 
trust my prevailing desire is, that living or 
dying I may be the Lord's. S. P." 

TO MR. FULLER. 

Birmingham, August 19, 1799. 

" The doctor has been making me w r orse 
and weaker for three weeks. In the middle 
of the last week he spoke confidently of my 
recovery; but to day he has seen fit to alter 
his plans; and if I do not find a speedy altera- 
tion for the better, I must have done with all 
physicians, but him, who ' healeth the broken 
in heart.' 

" For some time after I came home, I was 
led to believe my case to be consumptive, and 
then thinking myself of a certainty near the 
kingdom of heaven, I rejoiced hourly in the 
delightful prospect. 

" Since then, I have been told that I am 
not in a dangerous way; and though I give 
very little credit to such assertions in this 
case, yet I have found my mind so taken up 
with earth again, that I seem as though I had 



124 MEMOIRS OF 

another soul. My spiritual pleasures are 
greatly interrupted, and some of the most 
plaintive parts of the most plaintive Psalms 
seem the only true language of my heart. 
Yet, ' Thy will be done, 5 1 trust prevails ; and 
if it be the Lord's will that I linger long, and 
suffer much, oh let him give me the patience 
of hope, and still his will be done. — I can 
write no more. This is a whole day's work: 
for it is only after tea that for a few minutes 
I can sit up, and attend to any thing. S. P. " 

From the latter end of August, and all 
through the month of September, to the tenth 
of October, the day on which he died, he seems 
to have been unable to write. He did not, 
however, lose the exercise of his mental pow- 
ers; and though in the last of the above letters 
he complains of darkness, it appears that he 
soon recovered that peace and joy in God, by 
which his affliction, and even his life, were 
distinguished. 

A little before he died, he was visited by 
Mr. Medley, of London, with whom he had 
been particularly intimate on his first coming 
to Birmingham. Mr. Pearce was much af- 
fected at the sight of his friend, and continued 
silently weeping for nearly ten minutes, hold- 
ing and pressing his hand. After this he 
spoke, or rather, whispered as follows: — 
" This sick bed is a Bethel to me; it is none 



THE REV* SAMUEL PEARCE. 125 

other than the house of God, and the gate of 
heaven. I can scarcely express the pleasures 
that I have enjoyed in this affliction. The 
nearer I draw to my dissolution, the happier 
I am. It scarcely can be called an affliction, 
it is so counterbalanced with joy. You have 
lost your pious father; tell me how it was." 
Here Mr. Medley informed him of particu- 
lars. He wept much at the recital, and 
especially at hearing of his last words, — 
64 Home, Home!" Mr. Medley telling him 
of some temptations he had lately met with, 
he charged him to keep near to God. — " Keep 
close to God," said he, "and nothing will 
hurt you." 

One LordVday morning he said to Mrs. 
Pearce, " Cheer up, my dear, think how 
much will be said to-day of the faithfulness 
of God. Though ive are called to separate, 
he will never separate from you. I wish I 
could tell the world what a good and gracious 
God he is. Never need they, who trust in 
him, be afraid of trials. He has promised to 
give strength for the day; that is his promise. 
O what a lovely God ! and he is my God and 
yours. He will never leave us, nor forsake 
us — no, never! I have been thinking that this 
and that medicine will do me good — but what 
have I to do with it? It is in my Jesus' hands; 
he will do it all, and there I leave it. What 
a mercy is it, I have a good bed to lie upon; 
k2 



1&6 MEMOms OF 

you, my dear Sarah, to wait upon me; and 
friends to pray for me! O how thankful 
should I he for all my pains! I want for no- 
thing: all my wishes are anticipated. O! I 
have felt the force of those words of David, 
' Unless thy law, (my gracious God!) had been 
my delight, I should have perished in mine 
affliction. ' Thuogh I am too weak to read it, 
or hear it, I can think upon it, and O how 
good it is! I am in the best hands I could be 
in—in the hands of my dear Lord and Sa- 
viour, and he will do all things well. Yes, 
yes, he cannot do wrong." 

One morning Mrs. P. asked him how he felt? 
" Very ill, but unspeakably happy in the Lord 
and my dear Lord Jesus. " Once beholding 
her grieving, he said, " O my dear Sarah, do 
not be so anxious, but leave me entirely in the 
hands of Jesus, and think, if you were as wise 
as he, you would do the same by me. If he 
takes me, I shall not be lost, I shall only go a 
little before; we shall meet again, never to 
part." 

After a violent fit of coughing he said, " It 
is all well; O, what a good God is he! It is 
done by him, and it must be well.— If I ever 
recover, I shall pity the sick more than ever, 
and if I do not, I shall go to sing delivering 
love; so you see it will be all well. — O for 
more patience ! Well, my God is the God of 
patience, and he will give me all I need. I 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. l£f 

rejoice it is in niy Jesus' hands to communi- 
cate, and it cannot be in better. It is my 
God who gives me patience to bear all his 
will." 

When, after a restless night, Mrs. P. asked 
him, what she should do for him? " You can 
do nothing but pray for me, that I may have 
patience to bear all my Lord's will." — After 
taking a medicine he said, " If it be the Lord's 
will to bless it, for your sake, and for the sake 
of the dear children — but the Lord's will be 
done. O, I fear I sin, I dishonour God by im- 
patience; but I would not for a thousand 
worlds sin in a thought if I could avoid it." 
Mrs. P. replied, she trusted the Lord would 
still keep him; seeing he had brought him thus 
far, he would not desert him at last. " No, 
no," he said, "I hope he will not. As a 
father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth 
them that fear him. Why do I complain? 
My dear Jesus' sufferings were much sorer 
and more bitter than mine. And did he thus 
suffer, and shall I repine! No, I will cheer- 
fully suffer my Father's will. " 

One morning after being asked how he felt, 
he replied, " I have but one severe pain about 
me! What a mercy! O how good a God to 
afford some intervals amidst so much pain! 
He is altogether good. Jesus lives, my dear, 
and that must be our consolation." — After 
taking a medicine which operated very power- 



1£8 MEMOIRS OF 

fully, he said, " This will make me so much 
lower; well, let it be. Multiply my pains, 
thou good God, so thou art but glorified, I care 
not what I suffer ; all is right. " 

Being asked how he felt after a restless 
night, he replied, "I have so much weakness 
and pain, I have not had much enjoyment; 
but I have a full persuasion that the Lord 
is doing all these well. If it were not for 
strong confidence in a lovely God, I must 
sink; but all is well. O blessed God, I would 
not love thee less; O support a sinking worm I 

what a mercy to be assured that all things 
are working together for good. " 

Mrs. P. saying, If we must part, I trust the 
separation will not be for ever; " O no," he 
replied, " we sorrow not as those who have 
no hope." She said, Then you can leave me 
and your dear children with resignation, can 
you? He answered, " My heart was pierced 
through with many sorrows, before I could 
give you and the dear children up; but the 
Lord has heard me say, Thy will be done; 
and I now can say, blessed be his dear name, 

1 have none of my own." 

His last day, Oct. 10, was very happy; Mrs. 
P. repeated this verse, 

Since all that I meet shall work for my good, 
The bitter is sweet, the med'cine is food: 

Though painful at present, 'twill cease before long, 
And then, O how pleasant the conqueror's song. 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 1£9 

He repeated with an inexpressible smile, 
the last line, "The conqueror's song." 

He said once, <( Omy dear! what shall I 
do? But why do I complain ? He makes all 
my bed in my sickness. " She then repeated 
those lines, 

Jesus can make a dying bed 
Feel soft as downy pillows are. 

" Yes," he replied, "he can; he does; I 
feel it." 



In reviewing the character of Mr. Pearce, 
we can only, in concluding the memoir, re- 
mark upon a few, but prominent and interest- 
ing traits. He was affectionate to all, but 
especially towards the rising generation. The 
youth of his own congregation, of London, 
and of Dublin, have not forgotten his melting 
discourses which were particularly addressed 
to them. He took much delight in speaking 
to the children, and would adapt himself to 
their capacities, and expostulate with them 
on the things which belonged to their ever- 
lasting peace. While at Plymouth he wrote 
thus to one of his friends, "0 how should I 
rejoice were there a speedy prospect of my 
returning to my great and little congrega- 
tions. " Nor was it by preaching only that he 
sought their eternal welfare: several of his 
letters are addressed to young persons. 



130 MEMOIRS OF 

With what joj did he congratulate one of 
his most intimate friends, on hearing that 
three of the younger branches of his family 
had apparently been brought to take the Re- 
deemer's yoke upon them. ' ' Thanks, thanks, 
thanks be to God," said he, "for the enrap- 
turing prospects before you as a father, as a 

Christian father especially What, three of a 

family! and . these three at once! O the 
heights, and the depths, and lengths, and 
breadths, of his unfathomable grace. My 
soul feels joy unspeakable at the blessed news. 
Three immortal souls secured for eternal life ! 
Three rational spirits preparing to grace Im- 
manuePs triumphs, and sing his praise ! Three 
examples of virtue and goodness; exhibiting 
the genuine influences of the true religion of 
Jesus before the world — perhaps three mo- 
thers training up to lead three future families 
in the way to heaven. O what a train of 
blessings do I see in this event! Most sin- 
cerely do I participate with my dear friend, 
in his pleasures and in his gratitude." 

Towards the close of life, writing to the 
same friend, he thus concludes his letter:— 
"Present our love to dear Mrs. S. and the 
family, especially those whose hearts are en- 
gaged to seek the Lord and his goodness. O 
tell them they will find him good all their lives, 
supremely good on dying beds, but best of all 
in glory, " 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 131 

In his visits to the sick he was singularly 
useful. His sympathetic conversation, affec- 
tionate prayers, and endearing manner of 
recommending to them a compassionate Sa- 
viour, frequently operated as a cordial to their 
troubled hearts. A young man of his con- 
gregation was dangerously ill. His father, 
living at a distance, was anxious to hear from 
him; and Mr. Pearce, in a letter to the minis- 
ter on whose preaching the father attended, 
wrote as follows: — " I feel for the anxiety of 
Mr. V. and am happy in being at this time a 
Barnabas to him. I was not seriously alarm- 
ed for his son till last Tuesday, when I ex- 
pected from every symptom, and the language 
of his apothecary, that he was nigh unto death. 
But to our astonishment and joy, a surprising 
change has since taken place. I saw him 
yesterday apparently in a fair way for re- 
covery. His mind, for the first part of his 
illness, was sometimes joyful, and almost 
constantly calm; but when at the worst, sus- 
picions crowded his mind; he feared he had 
been a hypocrite. I talked, and prayed, and 
wept with him. One scene was very affect- 
ing; both he and his wife appeared like per- 
sons newly awakened. They never felt so 
strongly the importance of religion before. 
He conversed about the tenderness of Jesus to 
broken-hearted sinners; and whilst we spoke, 
it seemed as though he came and began to heal 



132 MEMOIRS OF 

the wound. It did me good, and I trust not 
unavailing to them. They have since been 
for the most part happy; and a very pleasant 
interview I had with them on the past day." 

Every man must have his seasons of relaxa- 
tion. In his earlier years he would take 
strong bodily exercise. Of late, he occasion- 
ally employed himself with the microscope, 
and in making a few philosophical experi- 
ments. " We will amuse ourselves with 
philosophy," said he to a philosophical friend, 
" but Jesus shall be our teacher. " In all these 
exercises he seems never to have lost sight of 
God; but would be discovering something in 
his works that should furnish matter for praise 
and admiration. His mind did not appear to 
have been unfitted, but rather assisted, by 
such pursuits for the discharge of the more 
spiritual exercises, into which he would fall 
at a proper season, as into his native element. 
If in company with friends, and the conver- 
sation turned upon the works of nature, or 
art, or any other subject of science, he would 
cheerfully take a part in it, and when occa- 
sion required, by some easy and pleasant 
transition, direct it into another channel. — An 
ingenious friend once showed him a model of 
a machine which he thought of constructing, 
and by which he hoped to be able to produce 
a perpetual motion. Mr. Pearce having pa- 
tiently inspected it, discovered where the 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 133 

operation would stop, and pointed it out. His 
friend was convinced, and felt, as may be 
supposed, rather unpleasant at his disappoint- 
ment. He consoled him; and a prayer-meet- 
ing being at hand, said to this effect, « We 
may learn from hence our own insufficiency, 
and the glory of that Being, who is wonderful 
in counsel, and excellent in working: let us go 
and worship Him." 

His ministry was highly acceptable to per- 
sons of education: but he appears to have been 
most in his element when preaching to the 
poor. The feelings which he himself expresses 
when instructing the colliers, appear to have 
continued with him through life. It was his 
delight to carry the glad tidings of salvation 
into the villages, wherever he could find access 
and opportunity. And as he sought the good 
of their souls, so he both laboured and suffer- 
ed to relieve their temporal wants; living 
himself in a style of frugality and self-denial, 
that he might have whereof to give to them 
that needed. 

Finally, he possessed a large portion of real 
happiness. There are few characters whose 
enjoyments, both natural and spiritual, have 
risen to so great a height. He dwelt in love: 
and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, 
and God in him. Such a life must needs be 
happy. 

If an object of joy presented itself to his 

M 



134 MEMOIRS OF 

mind, he would delight in multiplying it by 
its probable or possible consequences. Thus 
it was, as we have seen, in his congratulating 
his friend on the conversion of three of his 
children ; and thus it was when speaking of a 
people who divided into two congregations, 
not from discord, but from an increase of 
numbers! and who generously united in erect- 
ing a new and additional place of worship — 
" These liberal souls are subscribing," said 
he, " in order to support a religion, which, as 
far as it truly prevails, will render others as 
liberal as themselves. " 

His heart was so much formed for social 
enjoyment that he seems to have contemplated 
the heavenly state under this idea with pecu- 
liar advantage. On this pleasing subject he 
dwells also in a letter to his dear friend 
JBirt. — "I had much pleasure a few days 
since, in meditating on the affectionate lan- 

fuage of our Lord to his sorrowful disciples: 
go to prepare a place for you. What a plen- 
itude of consolation do these words contain; 
what a sweet view of heaven as a place of 
society. It is one place for us all : that place 
where his glorified body is, there all his fol- 
lowers shall assemble, to part no more. 
Where he is, there we shall be also. Oh 
blessed anticipation! There shall be Abel, 
and all the martyrs; Abraham, and all the 
patriarchs; Isaiah, and all the prophets; Paul, 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 135 

and all the apostles; Gabriel, and all the an- 
gels; and above all, Jesus, and all his ran- 
somed people ! Oh to be amongst the number ! 
My dear brother, let us be strong in the Lord. 
Let us realize the bliss before us. Let our 
faith bring heaven itself near, and feast, and 
live upon the scene. Oh what a commanding 
influence would it have upon our thoughts, 
passions, comforts, sorrows, words, ministry, 
prayers, praises, and conduct. What man- 
ner of persons should we be in all holy con- 
versation and godliness!" • 

In many persons, the pleasures imparted by 
religion are counteracted by a gloomy consti- 
tution : but it was not so in him. In his dis- 
position they mejt with a friendly soil. Cheer- 
fulness was as natural to him as breathing; 
and this spirit, sanctified by the grace of God, 
gave a tincture to all his thoughts, conversa- 
tion, and preaching. He was seldom heard 
without tears; but they were frequently tears 
of pleasure. No levity, no attempts at wit, 
no aiming to excite the risibility of an audi- 
ence, ever disgraced his sermons. Religion 
in him was habitual seriousness, mingled with 
sacred pleasure, frequently rising into sub- 
lime delight, and occasionally overflowing 
with transporting joy. 



136 



MEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER V. 



Letters to some of his Friends. 

TO THE REV. WILLIAM STAUGHTON, D. D, 

(of Philadelphia.) 
" My dear Brother, Birmingham, June 4, 1791. 

"I received jours just before I left Bir- 
mingham, on Wednesday last. — It did me 
good, and gave me pleasure. I rejoice in 
your joy — I thank God for the assistance he 
grants you in public work. Oh let all the 
strength and power you have be devoted as 
to the Divine Will may seem fit — let it all be 
employed to exalt the Saviour— aim at that, 
and that only, my dear brother, in all your 
sermons. It will give us more pleasure ano- 
ther day, that he was exalted by us, than that 
we exalted ourselves. Would to God we 
could live more on him personally — we should 
then speak with more pleasure of him pub- 
lickly; it is pleasant speaking for God when 
we walk with him. May your experience 
and mine confirm it. 

Your very affectionate brother, S. P." 

TO THE SAME. 

Plymouth Dock, July 29, 1791. 
"My dear Friend, 

6< One of the students, a Mr. Rowland, is 
now dangerously ill at Plymouth Dock, in a 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 13/ 

fever which is very prevalent here, and he 
lodges in a house, where another student from 
the same country (Wales) died a few years 
since— Lord, what is man ! Oh my brother, 
let us improve diligently the moments we 
possess, let us watch for souls, let us spend 
ourselves in its service for them. I preached 
thrice yesterday, not without pleasure; God 
grant it may be with profit. How is it with 
your soul — how do you find closet duties. I 
have had some precious seasons at a throne 
of grace since I reached Plymouth: I could 
say it was good, very good, to draw nigh to 
God. I am more and more convinced, that 
our private devotion, or indevotion, will 
materially affect the tenor of our deportment. 
God help us to give him our hearts — no fear 
then but he will have our services too. I 
wish you much of the divine presence; still 
pray for your unworthy brother, and still 
help him to praise. ■ 

I am yours affectionately, S. P." 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

Birmingham, {Lor&h-day evening,) Dec. 9, 1798, 
My dear Brother, 

After a Sabbath (such an one I never 

knew before) spent in an entire seclusion 

from the house and ordinances of my God, I 

seek christian converse with you, in a way in 

m2 



138 MEMOIRS OF 

which I am yet permitted to have intercourse 
with my brethren. The day after I wrote to 
you last, my medical attendant ]aid me under 
the strictest injunctions not to speak again in 
public for one month at least. He says that 
my stomach has become so irritable, through 
repeated inflammations, that conversation, 
unless managed with great caution, would be 
dangerous; that he does not think my present 
condition alarming, provided I take rest — but 
without that, he intimated my life was in great 
danger. He forbids my exposing myself to 
the evening air, on any account, and going 
out of doors, or to the door, unless when the 
air is dry and clear; so that I am, during the 
weather we now have in Birmingham, (very 
foggy) a complete prisoner; and the repeated 
cautions from my dear and affectionate friends, 
whose solicitude, I conceive, far exceeds the 
danger, compel me to a rigid observance of 
the Doctor's rules. 

This morning brother Pope took my place; 
and in the afternoon Mr. Brewer, who has 
discovered uncommon tenderness and respect 
for me and the people, since he knew my state, 
preached a very affectionate sermon from 1 
Sam. iii. 18. " It is the Lord, let him do 
what seemeth him good." By what I hear, 
his sympathizing observation, in relation to 
the event which occasioned his being then in. 
the pulpit, drew more tears from the people's 



THE REV? SAMUEL PEARCE. 239 

eyes, than a dozen such poor creatures as their 
pastor could deserve. But I have, blessed be 
God ! long had the satisfaction of finding my- 
self embosomed in friendship— the friendship 
of the people of my charge: though I lament 
that their love should occasion them a pang — 
but thus it is — our heavenly Father sees that, 
for our mixed characters, a mixed state is 
best 

I anticipated a day of gloom, but I had un- 
expected reason to rejoice that the shadow of 
death was turned into the joy of the morning; 
and though I said, with perhaps before une- 
qualled feeling, " How amiable are thy taber- 
nacles!" yet I found the God of Zion does not 
neglect the dwellings of Jacob. My poor wife 
was very much affected at so novel a thing as 
leaving me behind her, and so it was a dewy 
morning; but the Sun of Righteousness soon 
arose, and shed such ineffable delight through- 
out my soul, that I could say, 'It is good to 
be here. ' Motive to resignation and gratitude 
also, crowded upon motive, till my judgment 
was convinced, that I ought to rejoice in the 
Lord exceedingly, and so my whole soul took 
its fill of joy. May I, if it be my Saviour's 
will, feel as happy when I come to die! When 
my poor Sarah lay at the point of death, I 
enjoyed such support, and felt my will so en- 
tirely bowed down to that of God, that I said 
in my heart, " I shall never fear another trial 



140 MEMOIRS OF 

■ — he that sustained me amidst this flame, will 
defend me from every spark!' 9 and this con- 
fidence I long enjoyed. But that was near 
six years ago, and I had almost forgotten the 
land of the Hermonites, and the hill Mizar. 
But the Lord has prepared me to receive a 
fresh display of his fatherly care, and his 
(shall I call it?) punctilious veracity. If I 
should be raised up again, I shall be able to 
preach on the faithfulness of God more ex- 
perimentally than ever. Perhaps some trial 
is coming on, and I am to be instrumental in 
preparing them for it: or if not, if I am to de- 
part hence to be no more seen, I know the 
Lord can carry on his work as well without 
me as with me. He who redeemed the sheep 
with his blood, will never suffer them to 
perish for want of shepherding, especially 
since he himself is the chief Shepherd of souls. 
But my family ! Ah, there I find my faith but 
still imperfect. However, I do not think the 
Lord will ever take me away, till he helps me 
to leave my fatherless children in his hands, 
and trust my widow also with him. "His 
love in times past," and I may add in times 
present too, "forbids me to think he will 
leave me at last, in trouble to sink." 

Whilst my weakness was gaining ground* I 
used to ask myself, how I could like to be 
laid by? I have dreamed that this was the 
case, and both awake and asleep, I felt -as 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 141 

though it were an evil that could not be borne: 
— but now, I find the Lord can tit the back 
to the burden, and though I think I love the 
thought of serving Christ at this moment bet- 
ter than ever, yet he has made me willing to 
be ... . nothing, if he please to have it so; 
and now my happy heart " could sing itself 
away to everlasting bliss " 

O what a mercy that I have not brought on 
my affliction by serving the devil. What a 
mercy that I have so many dear sympathizing 
friends ! What a mercy that I have so much 
dear domestic comfort ! What a mercy that I 
am in no violent bodily pain I What a mercy 
that I can read and write, without doing my- 
self an injury ! What a mercy that my animal 
spirits have all the time this has been coming 
on, (ever since the last Kettering meeting of 
ministers) been vigorous— free from dejection ! 
And which I reckon among the greatest of this 
day's privileges, what a mercy that I have 
been able to employ myself for Christ and his 
dear cause to-day, as I have been almost 
wholly occupied in the concerns of the (I hope) 
reviving church at Bromsgrove; and the in- 
fant church at Cradly! O my dear brother, it 
is all mercy, is it not ? O help me then in his 
praise, for he is good, for his mercy endureth 
for ever. 

Ought I to apologize for this experimental 
chat with you, who have concerns to transact 






142 , MEMOIRS OF 

of so much more importance, than any that 
are confined to an individual ? Forgive me 
if I have intruded too much on your time — 
but do not forget to praise on my behalf a 
faithful God. I shall now leave room against 
I have some business to write about — till then, 
adieu — but let us not forget, that this God, is 
our God for ever and ever, and will be our 
guide even until death. Amen. Amen. .We 
shall soon meet in heaven. S. P. 

TO MR. POPE. 

Plymouth, May 24, 1799. 
I cannot write much — this I believe is the 
only letter that I have written (except to my 
wife) since I wrote to you last. My com- 
plaint has issued in a confirmed, slow, ner- 
vous fever, which has wasted my spirits and 
strength, and taken a great part of the little 
flesh I had when in health away from me. 
The symptoms have been very threatening, 
and I have repeatedly thought, that let the 
physician do what he will, he cannot keep me 
long from those heavenly joys, for which, 
blessed be God, I have lately been much 
longing; and were it not for my dear 'people 
and family, I should have earnestly prayed 
for leave to depart and be with Christ, which 
is so much better than to abide in this vain* 
suffering, sinning world. 



THE REV. SA.MUEL PEARCE. 143 

The doctors, however, now pronounce my 
case very hopeful— say there is little or no 
danger — but that all these complaints re- 
quire a great deal of time to get rid of. I 
still feel myself on precarious ground, but 
quite resigned to the will of Him, who, un- 
worthy as I am, continues daily to "fill my 
soul with joy and peace in believing." Yes, 
my dear friend ! now my soul feels the value 
of a free, full, and everlasting salvation — and 
what is more, I do enjoy that salvation, while 
I rest all my hope on the Son of God in hu- 
man nature, dying on the cross for me. To 
me now, health or sickness, pain or ease, life 
or death are things indifferent. I feel so 
happy in being in the hands of Infinite Love, 
that when the severest strokes are laid upon 
me, I receive them with pleasure, because 
they come from my heavenly Father's hands ! 
"0! to grace how great a debtor," &c. 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

Birmingham, July 20, 1799. 
My very dear Brother, 

Your friendly anxieties on my behalf de- 
mand the earliest satisfaction. We had a 
f)leasant ride to Newport on the afternoon we 
eft you, and the next day without much 
fatigue reached Tewksburyj but the road was 
so rough from Tewksbury to Evesham, that 



144 MEMOIRS OF 

it wearied and injured me more than all the 
jolting we had had before put together. How- 
ever, we reached Alcester on Wednesday 
evening, stopped there a day to rest, and last 
night (Friday) were brought safely hither, 
blessed be God! 

I find myself getting weaker and weaker, 
and so my Lord instructs me in his pleasure 
to remove me soon. You say well, my dear 
brother, that at such a prospect, I " cannot 
complain." No, blessed be His dear name, 
who shed his blood for me, he helps me to 
rejoice, at times, with joy unspeakable. Now 
I see the value of the religion of the cross. It 
is a religion for a dying sinner. It is all the 
most guilty, the most wretched can desire. 
Yes, I taste its sweetness, and enjoy its ful- 
ness, with all the gloom of a dying bed before 
me. And far rather would I be the poor 
emaciated, and emaciating creature that I 
am, than be an Emperor, with every earthly 
good about him .... but without a God ! 

I was delighted the other day, in re-perusing 
the Pilgrim's Progress, to observe that when 
Christian came to the top of the hill Difficul- 
ty, he was put to sleep in a chamber called 
Peace. Why, how good is the Lord of the 
way to me! said 1$ I have not reached the 
summit of the hill yet, but notwithstanding he 
puts me to sleep in the chamber of Peace 
every night. True, it is often a chamber of 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 145 

pain; but let pain be as formidable as it may, 
it has never yet been able to expel that peace 
which the great Guardian of Israel has ap- 
pointed to keep my heart and mind through 
Christ Jesus. 

I have been labouring lately to exercise 
most love to God when I have been suffering 
most severely; but, what shall I say? Alas! 
too often the sense of pain absorbs every 
other thought. Yet there have been seasons 
when I have been affected with such a de- 
lightful sense of the loveliness of God as to 
ravish .my soul, and give predominance to the 
sacred passion. It was never till to-day that 
I got any personal instruction from our Lord's 
telling Peter by what death he should glorify 
God. O what a satisfying thought is it, that 
God appoints those means of dissolution 
whereby he gets most glory to himself. It 
was the very thing I needed; for of all the 
ways of dying, that which I most dreaded 
was by a consumption; (in which it is now 
highly probable my disorder will issue.) But, 
O my dear Lord, if by this death I can most 
glorify thee, I prefer it to all others, and 
thank thee that by this mean thou art hasten- 
ing my fuller enjoyment of thee in a purer 
world. 

A sinless state! "0 His a heaven worth 
dying for!" I cannot realize any thing about 
heaven, but the presence of Christ and his 



146 MEMOIRS OF 

people, and a perfect deliverance from sin,- 
and I want no more — I am sick of sinning — 
soon I shall be beyond its power. " O joy- 
ful hour! O blessed abode! I shall be near 
and like my God!" I only thought of filling- 
one side — and now have not left room to 
thank you and dear Mrs, Ryland for the 
minute, affectionate, and constant attentions 
you paid us in Bristol. May the Lord re- 
ward you. Our hearty love to all around, till 
we meet in heaven. 

Eternally yours in Christ, S. P. 

TO DR. RYLAND. 

Birmingham, (Lord^s-day Evening,) Aug, 4, 1799. 
My very dear brother, 

Still, I trust, hastening to the land " where 
there shall be no more curse," I take this op- 
portunity of talking a little with you on the 
road, for we are fellow-travellers, and a little 
conversation by the way will not lose me the 
privilege of getting first to the end of my 
journey. 

It is seventeen years within about a week 
since I first actually set out on my pilgrim- 
age; and when I review the many dangers to 
which, during that time, I have been exposed, I 
am filled with conviction that I have all along 
been the care of Omnipotent Love. . Ah how 
many Pliables, and Timorouses, and T alka- 



THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, 14 7 

tives have I seen, while iny quivering heart 
said, "Alas! I shall soon follow these sons 
of apostasy, prove a disgrace to religion, and 
have my portion with hypocrites at last. " 

These fears may have had their uses — may 
have made me more cautious, more distrustful 
of myself, and kept me more dependent on the 
Lord. Thus 

41 All that I've met has work'd for my good." 

With what intricacy, to our view, and yet 
with what actual skill and goodness, does the 
Lord draw his plans, and mark out our path I 
Here we wonder and complain — Soon we 
shall all agree that it was a right path to the 
city of habitation; and what we now most 
deeply regret, shall become the subject of 
our warmest praises. 

I am afraid to come back again to life. O 
how many dangers await me ! Perhaps I may 
be overcome of some fleshy lust — perhaps I 
may get proud and indolent, and be more of 
the priest than of the evangelist — surely I re- 
joice in feeling my outward man decay, and 
having the sentence of death in myself. O 
what prospects are before me in the blessed 
world whither I am going ! To be holy as God 
is holy — to have nothing but holiness in my 
nature — to be assured, without a doubt, and 
eternally to carry about this assurance with 
me, that the pure God looks on me with con- 



148 MEMOIRS OF 

slant complacency, for ever blesses me, and 
says, as at the first creation, "It is very good. 9 * 
I am happy now in hoping in the divine pur- 
poses towards me; but I know, and the 
thought is my constant burden, that the Be- 
ing I love best, always sees something in me 
which he infinitely hates. " O wretched, 
wretched man that I am!" The thought even 
now makes me weep, and who can help it, 
that seriously reflects, he never comes to God 
to pray or praise, but he brings what his God 
detests along with him-— carries it with him 
wherever he goes, and can never get rid of it 
as long as he lives? Come, my dear brother! 
will you not share my joy, and help my praise ? 
that soon I shall leave this body of sin and 
death behind, to enter on the perfection of my 
spiritual nature; and patiently to wait till 
this natural body shall become a spiritual 
body, and so be a fit vehicle for my immortal 
and happy spirit ? 

But I must forbear— I have been very un- 
well all day; but this evening God has kindly 
given me a respite— my fever is low and my 
spirits are cheerful, so I have indulged my- 
self in unbosoming my feelings to my dear 
friend, S. P* 



(149) 
MEMOIR 

OF 

MRS. PEARCE, 

WIDOW OF THE LATE MR. PEaRCE, OF BIRMINGHAM, 
WHO DIED MAY 25, 1804. 

To which are added, 

Extracts from a few of her Letters, written since the 
Death of her Husband. 

A sensation so strong as that which was 
felt by the religious public on the death of 
Mr. Pearce, must needs be followed with a de- 
sire to know a few particulars of the partner 
of his cares. The reader will perceive in her 
a strain of genuine piety, and christian affec- 
tion: and though when reading her lamenta- 
tions he may think she discovered too much 
of an irreconcilable spirit, yet, considering the 
loss she had sustained, he will rather be dis- 
posed to pity, than severely to censure her, 
especially as they imply so just an apprecia- 
tion of departed worth. 

After the death of her husband, she con- 
stantly assembled her little family, morning 
and evening, to commit them to the care of 



150 MEMOIR OF MRS, PEARCE. 

Heaven, fervently praying for their conver- 
sion, and that they might walk in the steps of 
their honoured father. 

She would sometimes complain of darkness 
of mind, and the want of satisfactory evidence 
of the reality of her own religion; but in gene- 
ral her hope was steady and lively. 

She was a pattern of early and regular at- 
tendance at the house of God at all seasons. 
Though she lived about a mile from it, yet no 
weather, nor little indispositions of body, 
would prevent her attendance. She loved the 
habitation of his house, and the place where 
his honour dwelt. She esteemed those most 
who appeared to bear most of the image of 
Christ. It was on this account, as well as 
from natural affection, that she felt so severe- 
ly the loss of her dear companion, who was to 
her not only a husband, but a friend, an in- 
structed and a guide. 

As her last illness was of such a nature as 
to render her incapable of conversation, no 
particular account can be given of the state 
of her mind at the close of life. The reader 
will obtain a taste of her spirit from a few 
extracts of letters furnished by the kindness 
of her correspondents. We shall give them 
in the order of time in which they appear to 
have been written, which may serve in some 
measure to show the progress of her exercises 
under the severest of temporal bereavements. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 151 

TO MRS. H. 

Eleven weeks after Mr. Pearee's death. 

December 25, 1799. 

"In vain, alas, in vain I seek him 

whose presence gave a zest to every enjoy- 
ment! I wander about the house as one bereft 
of her better half. I go into the study— -I say 
to myself, There is the chair he occupied, 
there are the books he read; but where, oh 
where is the owner? I come into the parlour 
— there my tenderest feelings are awakened 
by four fatherless children.* The loss of him 
with whom I have been accustomed to go up 
to the house of God diminishes, ah, I may say 
too frequently deprives me of my enjoyment 
while there. 

TO MRS. F. 

On the death of her youngest child, Samuel. 

July 11, 1800. 

" After an illness of a few days, it hath 

pleased the great Arbiter of life and death to 
bereave me of my dear little boy, aged one 
year and six months; and thus again to con- 
vince me of the uncertainty of all earthly joys, 

* Mrs. Pearce was left with Jive children : but her 
eldest son, William, was at this time from home, being 
taken soon after his father's death, out of pure friend- 
ship, by Mr. William Nichols of Nottingham, with 
whom he long continued. 



152 MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 

and bring to rememberance my past sorrows. 
He was in my fond eyes one of the fairest 
flowers human nature ever exhibited; but ah, 
he is dropt at an early period ! Yet the hope 
of his being transplanted into a more salutary 
clime, there to re-bloom in everlasting vigour; 
and the reflection, that if he had lived, he had 
unavoidably been exposed to innumerable 
temptations, from which, if my life was spared, 
I should yet be unable to screen him, make 
me still. Though I feel as a parent, and I 
hope as a christian, yet I can resign him. Oh, 
could I feel but half the resignation respect- 
ing the loss of my beloved Pearce! But I 
cannot. Still bleeds the deep, deep wound; 
and a return to Birmingham* is a return to 
the most poignant feelings. I wish however 
to resign him to the hand that gave, and that 
had an unquestionable right to take away. 
Be still then every tumultuous passion, and 
know that he who hath inflicted these repeat- 
ed strokes, is God: that God whom I desire 
to reverence under every painful dispensation, 
being persuaded that what I know not now, I 
shall know hereafter." 

TO THE SAME. 

December, 1800. 
"My dear children gone to bed, a clean 
hearth, a cheerful fire, but a dejected mind — 

* This letter was written from Alcester. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 153 

what will have a greater tendency to dissipate 
that dejection than to converse awhile with 
my dear friend Mrs. F.? Yet she must pre- 
pare herself for Ezekiel's roll. You will not 
wonder at this when I tell you, that within 
the last half hour I have been comparing my 
present evenings with those two years ago, 
when my beloved Pearce and myself were 
accustomed to sit together, and talk over the 
events of the past day, and look forward to 
the probable ones of the next; and when he 
would give the gentle caution where necessary, 
and direct me when in difficulty. But now, 
alas, a sad reverse succeeds! A solitary fire- 
place, a necessity of acting alone; and what- 
ever difficulties arise, there is no one to direct 
me. But God is just; and let me not repine., 
though I must needs feel the change. 

" Why sinks my weak desponding mind ? 
Why heaves my heart the anxious sigh ? 
Can sovereign goodness be unkind? 
Am I not safe if God be nigh?" 

"0 yes, if he be nigh, I want no more! 
This storm, though violent, will be but short: 
a few more blasts, a few more sighs, and I 
trust to arrive where sighing, sinning, and 
parting from those we love, shall be done 
away. Oh glorious anticipation! 5 Tis this, 
? tis this supports thy friend while steering the 
tempestuous ocean of widowhood. 

u 1 was glad to hear your dear babe was 



154 MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE, 

nearly recovered. May you long enjoy it, and 
may it be an increasing comfort to you. But 
do not do as I did, love it too well to part 
with it with cheerfulness when God calls. Oh, 
that dear loved name Samuel — how many 
pangs has it since cost me! There is no 
Samuel Pearce now! But why do I thus 
complain? Oh, my rebellious passions ! Often 
do I exclaim, 

" Ye that love the Lord indeed, 
Tell me, is it thus with you t 

" Since I saw you, my heart has been rent 
with such passions as are indescribable, and 
which I shudder to reflect upon. But let me 
speak it with unfeigned gratitude. I have felt 
for this last week, a degree of resignation, to 
which, ever since I lost my beloved Pearce, I 
was a stranger. From comparing my own in- 
significance with the greatness of the hand 
that has visited me, and who though he smote 
me (as I fear) in wrath, yet hath remembered 
mercy, my spirit has bowed to his sovereign 
will. I have also felt that it is of the Lord's 
mercies, I am not consumed. I had said, by 
my thoughts and actions, 4 Let all go: there is 
nothing worth keeping!' Why then was I not 
deprived of every comfort, seeing I made so 
light of what was left? To what a state should 
I have been reduced, had the Lord taken me 
at my word! But oh, cheering thought! He 



MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 155 

is a God full of compassion, who does not 
afflict willingly; and I believe I shall see in 
the end that all that hath befallen me is for 
my profit." 

TO MRS. H. 

March 17, 1801. 

"Oh, my friend, my wayward heart 

still cleaves to earth; and though so often dis- 
appointed in looking for comfort in the crea- 
ture, when my better reason tells me it can 
only be found in the great Creator, yet still I 
must be trying again. In the midst of my 
most sorrowful reflections, I am aware that 
my mercies preponderate; and claim not only 
resignation, but gratitude. I cannot be enough 
thankful for the goodness which mixes with 
judgment; and at times the language of my 
heart is, Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and for- 
get not any of his benefits ! Oti, could I leave 
my all with him, without an anxious care! 
How much more happy should I be. " 

TO MRS. F. 

On the illness of her daughter, Louisa. 

April 28, 1801. 

" My dear Louisa is so ill, that I have 

many fears on her account. Oh, my dear 
friend, a prospect the most distant of another 



156 MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 

bereavement involves my mind in gloom. 
Pray for me that my heart may be fortified for 
the worst. She has been to me an interest- 
ing child; and my fond heart has been pleasing 
itself that in a few years I should in her find 
a companion. Are you not astonished, that 
after so many disappointments, I should still 
be cleaving to the creature? Yet so it is: no 
sooner am I deprived of one comfort, but I 
grow insensibly to another, till disappointed 
again of this, I am compelled to feel the vanity 
of all below. I want to have my will entire- 
ly absorbed in the will of my heavenly Father: 
and at times it is my most earnest prayer, 
that he would not remove his chastising hand 
till the end is accomplished for which it is 
laid upon me; only mat he would give me 
strength to endure his will. But surely I 
must be an untoward child to need such re- 
peated and severe discipline. Pray for me*" 

TO MRS. H. 

September 19, 1801. 

" It is an unspeakable mercy that I am 

in the hands of so kind and good a God, who 
knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we 
are but dust. As a father pitieth his children, 
so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. How 
light and trifling do all our trials appear when 
compared with the important end they are de- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 157 

signed to answer. What are the sufferings of 
the present time, compared with the glory that 
is to be revealed in us? May we be made wil- 
ling to do and suffer the whole of God's will, 
in order to our meetness for the inheritance 
of the saints in light! O that my heart were 
more in heaven, where I trust my treasure is ! 
At times I can say, Do with me, Lord, as 
seemeth thee good; only sanctify thy dealings 
with me, and bring me forth as gold refined 
from all remaining dross. " 

TO MRS. F. 

October 12, 1801. 

" No doubt you have joined the general 

joy occasioned by the sound of peace. Never 
did I experience such sensations as on last 
Saturday, and Sabbath-day. You may per- 
haps recollect that Saturday, October 10, is 
an ever memorable day to me ! I do not know 
that ever I spent a day more devoted to sad- 
ness. My situation is retired — no friend came 
near me — every painful feeling was again re- 
called — I indulged it; my whole heart took 
its fill of grief! You may suppose I was ill 
prepared for attending the service of the 
sanctuary next day; and for awhile I felt a 
desire of staying at home, but did not think 
it right to indulge it. At length I summoned 
resolution, and went. While on the road, 



158 MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE, 

peace! peace! was sounded in my ears: every 
eye beamed gladness : but my poor harp was 
hung upon the willows. Oh how I wished to 
hide myself in a corner, where no eye could 
see me. I was, however, considerably re- 
lieved in the morning, from a sermon by Mr. 
Giles of Dartmouth, on, ' Our light affliction, 
which is but for a moment, working for us a 
far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory. ' My burden was in some measure re- 
moved." 

TO MRS. H. 

October IS, 1801. 

" I have been endeavouring to-day to 

forget what period of the year it is; but alas? 
too faithful memory, ever ready to reeal the 
hour which put an end to my earthly happi- 
ness, pursues me ! When shall I feel my wit! 
absorbed in the will of God, and have none 
but his? I want to live above this fading, 
dying world, and wonder I should be so. at- 
tached to it when it has so frequently disap- 
pointed me. Oh how I envy those who have 
learnt that useful lesson, deadness to the 
creature, and life in God. " 

TO MRS. F. (without date.) 
-" A firm persuasion that God directs 



all our concerns, ought to silence every mur~ 



MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 159 

mui\ and check every degree of impatience in 
our minds respecting them; and yet how diffi- 
cult it is to restrain our spirits and subdue 
them to the influence of religion. I have in- 
deed found it so, and at times still feel it; 
though I desire to be thankful I have been 
more tranquil the last six weeks, and enabled 
to yield myself more entirely to the divine 
disposal. A reflection on the large portion 
of happiness I have enjoyed, and a review of 
the goodness of God to me under my trials, 
have contributed to quiet my mind, and ex- 
cited a degree of gratitude and confidence in 
the hope of his continued aid. Though I can 
never cease to regret the loss I have sustain- 
ed; yet I wish not to indulge in these regrets. 
Time, and reverence for the divine character, 
(who cannot err) does that for us which no 
human power can effect. May we be enabled 
to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn our duty 
and privilege to trust in him at all times, and 
make him our only refuge. " 

ANOTHER TO THE SAME,(ivithoutdate.) 

" I do sincerely rejoice with you that 

the sun of prosperity, in the best sense, so 
vividly gilds your path. It is this that gives 
a zest to all our enjoyments, cheers the deep- 
est gloom, and makes light the heaviest bur- 
dens. — I know you will be happy to hear that 



160 MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE, 

for some time past my mind has been more 
uniformly composed. Not that I experience 
what I have so ardently thirsted after, cheer- 
ful resignation : but I trust I do feel more 
satisfied with the government of God, more 
convinced that what he does is best; that if I 
had had the management of my own concerns, 
they would not have been ordered half so well, 
and that there was a ''needs be" for every 
pain I have felt, and every deprivation I have 
sustained. I feel in some degree with the 
pious Mrs. Rowe, when she said, ' If thou 
wouldst permit me to choose for myself, I 
would resign the choice again to Thee.' I 
dread nothing more than the guidance of my 
own blind desires. I tremble at the thought 
of such a fatal liberty. Avert, gracious God, 
that miserable freedom I Thou foreseest all 
events, and at one single view dost look 
through eternal consequences: therefore do 
thou determine my circumstances, not to 
gratify my own blind desires, but to advance 
thy glory. ' — Such I say, in some degree, are 
my desires. But oh, pray for me, that I may 
be upheld of God, 

4 Else the next cloud that veils my skies 
Drives all these thoughts away.' 

TO THE SAME, {without date.) 
" I am just returned from hearing two 



more of our friends declare before the church, 



MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 161 

what God hath done for their souls; and my 
dear Pearce was the instrument of bringing 
them out of darkness into marvellous light. 
Rejoice with me that the seed so long sown 
springs up. Gratitude excites a desire to 
praise my God, the gracious Giver of every 
mercy. v 

< 'Oh, my friend, how rich, how inestimable 
is the gift of Jesus Christ! All that eye hath 
seen, or the most lively imagination conceived 
of, is nothing to the extent of the divine good- 
ness. Never shall we form any adequate con- 
ception of it till we know as we are known. 
To be near and like God, must surely be the 
summit of expected felicity. Oh delightful 
thought ! It will never decay. May a lively 
and increasing hope in these exalted realities, 
enable us to bear every trial with patience and 
fortitude. He who is a rock, and whose work 
is perfect, will accomplish whatever concerns 
those who put their trust in him. — I could not 
withhold news which has caused such a gleam 
of joy as I have not experienced for a long 
time, from my dear friend, who has taken so 
large a share of my gloom. — Farewell.' 9 



Early in the month of May, 1804, Mrs. 
Pearce was considered by her friends as un- 
well; for eight or nine days, however, no ap- 



162 MEMOIR OF MRS. PEARCE. 

prehensions of danger seem to have been en- 
tertained either on their part or her own. 
But about the 20th, the fever increased to 
such a degree, as to bring on a delirium, 
which continued till the 25th, when she 
breathed her last. 






THE END. 



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